Troops capture 2 NPA fighters in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Troops captured two young communist rebels, one of whom was wounded in clashes in Bukidnon, officials said Sunday.

Army Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said a 17-yearold New People’s Army (NPA) fighter was rushed by soldiers to a hospital after being shot in the leg and thigh in Bukidnon province during a firefight Friday.

He added that troops also recovered a hand grenade and improvised explosive from the rebel, who was left behind by her group in the village of Sinuda in Kitatao town.

“The 17-year-old NPA rebel was wounded in the left thigh and lower right leg. She gave up on pursuing troops after she was abandoned by her group, who scampered in different directions. Recovered from her possession were an International Humanitarian Law banned improvised landmine and a hand grenade,” Balagtey said, adding that the rebel told soldiers she was recruited by her uncle to join the NPA two years ago.

Another young NPA fighter was also captured in the same village on Thursday following a clash with the communist group.

Army Lt. Gen Jose Faustino Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, condemned the unabated recruitment of minors by the NPA and used them to fight the government.

“With dwindling mass bases and relevancy, the NPAs in Mindanao are recruiting minors and students to beef up their ranks sometimes using these types of schools as covers,” he said.

“It will take a while for her to adjust to normal life as she has just undergone surgery. Wounds heal, but the trauma still exists. Just like hundreds of NPA minors who have been rescued and eventually surrendered to the government, she will surely live her dreams and explore her talents and potentials away from the clutches of her former comrades,” Faustino added.

The NPA has been waging a violent secessionist campaign for many decades now.