NPA leadership in Caraga wiped out – AFP

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Top officials of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northeastern Mindanao were believed to have been neutralized in a five-day clash with military troops in the Diwata range in Andap Valley Complex in Surigao del Sur.

“At least 20 top NPA leaders in Caraga region were either killed or severely wounded in the Surigao del Sur clash,” claimed Fourth Infantry Division (4th ID) Public Affairs Office Chief Capt. Al Anthony B. Pueblas on Monday.

The series of encounters occurred between May 14 to May 19 in a secluded area of Diwata range that involved the troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade battling the forces of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

The series of clashes began after the 4th ID launched security operations in response to reports from highland villagers of a large consolidation of NEMRC forces threatening their ancestral community.

“As widely documented, history is replete with NPA atrocities in the area against indigenous peoples (IPs), women and minors prompting the 4th ID to conduct focus military operation (FMO) to prevent another terror plan by the CNTs,” Pueblas said.

He said the insurgents’ plan involved killing leaders of indigenous peoples tribes who may not be supportive of their ideologies, and recruitment of adventure-seeking minors to sustain their terroristic schemes of murders, robberies and extortion.

According to Pueblas, among the NPA leaders who were either killed or wounded in the series of encounters, were NEMRC Secretary Myrna Salarte, and National Democratic Front (NDF) Komisyon Mindanao (KOMMID) spokesman Alvin Logue.

“These wanted terrorists and a number of their cohorts were believed to have been killed or severely wounded after the series of clashes against our security forces as heavy bloodstains are scattered along the terrorists’ direction of withdrawal,” said Pueblas.