CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal – A high-ranking leader of the terrorist NPA died while two more rebels were captured during an encounter between the government forces and rebels in Rodriguez, Rizal, Thursday, July 18.
Soldiers of the 80th Infantry Battalion (80IB) were conducting their routine security operations in Sitio Marang in Barangay Burgos when they were fired upon by an undetermined number of armed groups.
A 10-minute firefight ensued resulting in the death of alias Honda, the vice leader of Platun Julian of the Sub-Regional Military Area 4A (SRMA 4A), and the capture of 2 NPA terrorists known to be alias Maya, the Deputy Secretary of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC), and alias Janna, a finance staff of SRMA 4A.
Among the items recovered during the encounter include an M653 rifle, three Caliber 22 rifles, a 9mm pistol, an improvised explosive device (IED), four detonating cords, and 2 air guns. In a statement, the 2nd Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong emphasized that this latest incident highlights the persistent efforts of the NPA to obstruct the government’s enforcement of the rule of law. He added that such actions endanger the lives of our security forces and threaten the stability and peace of the communities.
Maj. Gen. Capulong then reiterated the call for remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law and assured them that the government is ready to assist those who choose to surrender and start anew through the Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
