ARMY RECOVERIES. The 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army recovered several items from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) after a strike operation at President Roxas, Capiz on Friday morning (July 5, 2019). Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commanding officer of the 61IB, said the plans of the rebels to recruit minors were thwarted following the army operation. (Photo courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division PAO)
ILOILO CITY -- The 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine Army foiled the recruitment plans of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) after an armed encounter in President Roxas, Capiz on Friday morning.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commanding officer of the 61IB, said the government troops conducted a strike operation after the civilian populace reported presence of rebels in the area.
Batara said the troops encountered around 15 rebels believed to be under the Sangay sa Partido sa Platoon (SPP)-East, Komiteng Rehiyon – Panay of CPP-NPA led by a certain “Guning”.
After a brief firefight, the rebels fled towards Barangay Badiangon of the same municipality. “No casualty was recorded on our side,” Batara said.
He stressed the rebels in the area aim to recruit minors to become their “child soldiers.”
The rebel group plans to put up temporary encampment on the site purposely for their recruitment activities. “They are in the process. They are clearing the area and in fact, they have already put up posts there. This site is already a high ground area that is ideal for their encampment,” he said.
Batara noted they had recovered from the site one portable generator and one multi-media projector believed to be used for persuading minors in joining their group.
Also, among those recovered were two hand grenades, one anti-personnel mine, eight rifle grenades, four back-packs, two cellular phones, one container of gasoline, two sacks of rice, other personal belongings and subversive documents.
The recovered documents contain “valuable” information that will lead the Army on more operations to end atrocities by the rebel group, he said.
Batara also stressed that the newly-installed local chief executives, particularly in Capiz, are one with the Army’s fight against the rebels.
“They have given their support in the mandate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prevent the encroachment of the rebels that ruin the future of our youth,” Batara said.
He assured that the conduct of operations of the Army will be continuous to prevent the mobile rebels from committing atrocities.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
