Captured were Masarinda Balite alias “Alina” and her companion, Odessa Dumol alias “Ann”.
The military in a report said Balite is allegedly the medical officer of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT). She was found wounded and immediately provided first aid by troops in the course of the encounter.
Balite was one of more than 10 NPAs who figured in running 20-minutes gunfight with members of the composite troops of 56IB, 27IB and 3IB.
Colonel Consolito Yecla, commander of the 1003rd Brigade said the hostilities erupted when the group alias Macky refused to surrender despite the effort of a certain former rebel Ka Eloy in calling for the remaining rebels to accept the peace program offered by the government.
The said rebels also left three M-16 assault rifles and one M-4 rifle along their escape route as they fled in haste.
“We treat wounded enemies with compassion in keeping with International Humanitarian Laws. She (Balite) will be turned over properly to the nearest hospital for proper medication,” Yecla said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday afternoon, two NPA members namely Nester Tausan alias “Bong”, the Supply Officer of Squad Primera Andoy of SMRC, 19 years old, a resident of So Sambulongan, Palma Gil, Talaingod, and Wena Teklonay alias “Sirena”, the Supply Officer, Platoon Basil of SMRC, 18 years old, a resident of So Muling, Gupitan, Kapalong also surrendered to the Brigade.
The campaign of the Brigade against the rebels in Talaingod, resulted to the surrender of 63 NPA members, recovery of 32 firearms, and staged seven encounters for the past five months.
Yecla reiterated his call on the NPAs to voluntarily surrender before becoming casualties in the on-going focused military operations. (By Richy Nalagon)
Photos: EastMinCom