CAFGU member dies in encounter

Hearing the stories of his peers, he was no doubt instrumental in keeping the peace in his community

A member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) was killed following an encounter against Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNT) in Compostela Valley on Tuesday, 20 August.

The fatality was identified as CAFGU Active Auxiliary member Cherwyn Paragoya, who has been a CAA for almost 10 years and was tasked to help maintain the peace and order situation in his locality, particularly forming part of their integrated territorial defense system and preventing the infiltration of insurgents in the community.

A military report disclosed that the armed clash between troops of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion and CPP-NPA terrorist group took place in Laak, Compostela Valley Province.

It was learned that Paragoya was assisting the 60IB troops when they encountered an estimated 25 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) believed to be under Guerilla Front 33 in the vicinity of Barangay Ceboleda in Laak town.

Firefights lasted for over an hour with the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group providing close-air support.

The communist terrorists, however, scurried to different directions and was able to evade the troops. Upon scouring the area, the troops discovered some blood stains in the terrorists’ position suggesting that the latter would have sustained gunshot wounds themselves before being able to escape.

Meanwhile, 60th IB Commander Lt. Col. Gilbert Ombos said that they are very saddened by the loss of CAA Paragoya.

“Hearing the stories of his peers, he was no doubt instrumental in keeping the peace in his community. It’s heartbreaking that we should lose valuable life for something as futile and worthless as this insurgency,” Ombos said.

“They ought to follow CAA Paragoya’s example and be the vanguards of peace in their respective communities,” he said.

On the other hand, Mayor Antonio Libuangan of Laak and Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy of Compostela Valley Province both committed to help Paragoya’s family.

The 60IB together with the local disaster risk reduction and management offices of both Laak and the province are currently assisting the residents affected by the armed conflict.