CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – New Peoples Army leader “Joven Manggatawan”, known to be “Amana” was killed in a military offensives in Bukidnon, on Saturday.
The commanding officer of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Edgardo De Leon, reported that the identity of the slain leader was revealed by the rebel returnees.
General de Leon narrated that, on September 28, around 9:30 in the morning, scores of soldiers from the 88th Infantry Battalionlaunched an attack against NPA fighters in an uninhabited and forested area in Sitio Bangkalawan, Brgy Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon.
“We have exhausted ways to reach out to NPA as we tried to convince them to return to the folds of law and live a peaceful life with their families. We have so far convinced 110 regular NPAs, but there are still those who opted to remain. They would have to face the might of the military. While we extend our hands to offer peace, we are also duty-bound to use sufficient military force against those who continue to terrorize civilians and destroy civilian properties. The constitution mandates the AFP to protect the people, and we will not remiss with that mandate”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the 4th Infantry Commanding Officer Major General Nemesio Gacal commended the 88IB soldiers for their gallantry in defeating the NPA terrorists.
General Gacal also expressed that somehow the soldiers have given justice to the many civilian victims of NPA atrocities.
“But it is not enough. The NPA leaders must be prosecuted in courts for violating the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which is punishable under Republic Act 9851. The victims must be indemnified by the CPP-NPA. The NDF must investigate and explain to the public why the NPA keeps on attacking civilians”, Gen. Gacal, reiterates.
Recovered from the encounter site were one (1) M16 rifle; two (2) anti-personnel mines which are banned by the Ottawa Conventions; One (1) rifle grenade; two (2) ammunition magazines for M16 rifle; one (1) ammunition magazine for AK47 rifle; one (1) Baofenf brand commercial radio; six (6) 20-liter water containers filled with rice grain; assorted personal belognings and, subversive documents.
