Army cadre, CAFGU killed, one wounded in Agusan ambush
BUTUAN CITY – An Army cadre and a member of CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) were killed while another CAA man was critically wounded when an undetermined number of Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) ambushed them at Kilometer 13, Sitio Hinandayan, Barangay Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
In an initial report, S/Sgt. Sahare Jamjahare, cadre of Mimbahande Patrol Base, 23rd IB, Philippine Army based in Mimbahande Barangay Camagong, and CAA Totong Salaygay, were both declared dead on arrival at Butuan Doctors Hospital here and Nasipit District Hospital in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, respectively.
Another CAA member (identity temporarily withheld) is still recuperating from his bullet wounds in an undisclosed hospital here for security reason. He was reported to be in critical condition at press time.
The unarmed victims were on board a single motorcycle called “Habal Habal” on their way to their patrol base when they were waylaid by the CNTs at about 5 p.m. on Saturday in Km. 13 Sitio Hinandayan, Barangay Camagong of that same town.
As of press time, elements of 23rd Infantry Battalion, along with the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office and Nasipit Municipal Police Station are still pursuing the perpetrators, who are believed members of the Guerilla Front Committee 4-A of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
No plot to kill In Kidapawan City, the regional unit of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao has denied the military’s allegation that they are into “purging” members in North Cotabato who will yield to the government.
Ka Dencio Madrigal, spokesman for the NPA’s Valentine Palamine Regional Operations Command – Far South Mindanao (VPROC-FSM), considered as an “utter fabrication” the recent claim of 19th IB commander Lt. Col. Elrick Paraso that the rebels are threatening to conduct summary execution of members who surrendered to the government.
Paraso said that there are still more NPA guerillas in North Cotabato who are willing to give up the fight in the mountains but were afraid of the possible ramifications. One of the clear consequences, he explained, is death.
Madrigal said that Paraso is just “creating stories” to hide the issues of the military’s alleged continued threatening of civilians who are accused as NPA members or supporters.
More terrorists yield More CNTs laid down their arms, availed of the government’s livelihood program, and pledged to support its peace and development program, regional Army spokesperson 1Lt. Tere Ingente said on Tuesday.
The chief of Public Affairs Officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) cited the surrender of two armed CNTs to the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion (8th IB) on last Friday in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon province.