Troops scuttle NPA attack in Agusan

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City — An attempt by New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists to conduct terroristic activities was aborted when troopers from the Army’s 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battallion (23rd IB) engaged them in a brief gun battle Saturday in the vicinity of Purok 7, Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte province.

Field troops of the 23rd IB responded to reports from villagers about the presence of the rebels in the area which prompted Lt. Col. Francisco L. Molina, commanding officer of the 23rd IB, to dispatch its community support teams to check the veracity of the report.

The team of the 23rd IB engaged the rebels at 11:50 a.m. on Saturday, but the insurgents disengaged from the gunfight.

Upon securing the encounter site, operating troops recovered 2 carbine M1 rifles, one cal.22 pistol, 1 anti-personnel mine armed with blasting cap, 30 meters electrical wires, 3 cartridges of 40mm, HE, 1 hand grenade, 3 UHF commercial radios (Cignus), 3 magazines for carbine rifles, 350 rounds of live ammunition for carbine rifles, 5 cellphones, 2 binoculars, 1 monocular, 1 sniper scope and 7 pack bags containing hammock, personal belongings and subversive documents.

Molina said the fleeing Communist fighters were trying to conduct terroristic activities in the villages but were stopped when they were engaged by the operating troops.

He thanked the residents of Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista for providing timely information on the presence of CNTs.

“Through the cooperation of the civilians, we were able to save lives by thwarting the plans of the NPAs in using the prohibited anti-personnel mines which can victimize even ordinary civilians,” he said.

“We encourage the NPA members to abandon their armed struggle and go back to the folds of the government and live a peaceful life together with their families and loved ones. Our government is open to help you,” Molina added.