Soldiers Rescue 2 Female Minors During Series of Armed Clashes in Negros

Government troops coming from the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division rescued two female minors during an armed clash with the CPP-NPA terrorists in the hinterlands near Sitio Tabago, Brgy. Sandayao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental around 12 noon, Friday, August 14, 2020.

Meanwhile, a CPP-NPA member died in a separate clash with government troops coming from the same Army unit in the nearby Sitio Maluy-a of Brgy. Sandayao, also around 12 noon, Friday, August 14, 2020.

The dead CPP-NPA member was later identified as Rickim Remasog, 21 years old, a resident of Sitio Compound, Brgy. Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, and a known member of the CPP-NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command in central Negros.

The troops also apprehended a certain Rennel Remasog, 20 years old, and an identified member of the same CPP-NPA group during the series of clashes, while seizing war materials that included a caliber .30 M1 Carbine rifle, one (1) shotgun, two caliber .45 pistols, live ammunitions, and subversive documents.

It can be recalled that an armed clash between troops of 62IB and suspected CPP-NPA terrorists also took place near the adjacent community of Sitio Uway-uway, Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental around 9 am, Thursday, August 13, 2020, which resulted to the wounding of several terrorists as evidenced by the globs of blood seen by the troops in the area.

Major General Eric C. Vinoya, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the AFP’s Joint Task Force Spear in Western and Central Visayas, looks at the incident as a result of the shared concept of security among the LGU, the local residents, and the state security forces. He then lauded his troops for their relentless efforts in freeing the people from the terroristic acts of the CPP-NPA in the area.

“This incident is a result of the cooperation and collaboration among the people, the LGUs, and the security sector. The people are already fed-up by the threats posed by the CPP-NPA who continuously terrorize their communities with intimidation, extortion, and murder, hence, they denounce these terrorists by reporting the location of their lairs,” said Vinoya.

“I commend our troops from the 62IB for their dedication to our mandated task, and for upholding the International Humanitarian Law, which we commemorate this month of August, during these series of engagements with the CPP-NPA. Despite the risks and our critical tasks amidst this COVID-19 pandemic, they are still able to conduct relentless operations against the remaining CPP-NPA terrorists in Negros Island,” Vinoya further stressed.* [MAJ. CENON C. PANCITO III (SC) PA, Chief, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office]