Two communist guerillas slain in Agusan Norte clash

TWO NEW People's Army (NPA) members were killed in a clash with the 23rd Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, in Sitio Calaitan, Barangay Simbalan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on Jan. 16.

Meanwhile, soldiers were able to seize three high-powered firearms on the scene.

The military identified the slain rebels as Wewein Binongcasan and Analyn Mondas, both members of Platoon 2, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Sagay, Sub Regional Committee 3 (SRC3) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Captain Ronan Salarda, the civil-military operations officer of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, said the soldiers acted on the information from an asset regarding the extortion activities of the NPA rebels.

Soldiers from the 23IB were immediately deployed to the community to verify the information and found themselves exchanging gunfire with an undetermined number of communist terrorists.

Accordingly, the firefight lasted for 10 minutes before the rebels fled toward the southeast direction. The operating troops, together with K9 units, followed the traces of the fleeing enemy and this resulted in the recovery of the two bodies left behind by their comrades.

The encounter also resulted in the recovery of two M16 rifles and a .30 caliber M1 Carbine, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, congratulated the operating soldiers on the accomplishment.

“In the early days of 2024, our troops achieved an important milestone with the successful neutralization of these two NPA members. Let us continue our commitment to safeguarding the people within our area of responsibility particularly here in Agusan del Norte, until we achieve our ultimate goal of making this an insurgency-free Province,” Orio added.

Orio also urged the remaining rebels “to pause and contemplate the path you are on. The cycle of violence and conflict neither serves as an aspiration nor an inspiration for the next generations to come."

"It is never too late to choose a different path, one that leads toward dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence. Lay down your arms, embrace the path of reconciliation, and contribute to the collective effort of nationbuilding. Our armed forces are not adversaries to those who seek peace," he said.