Two terrorists NPAs died in a recent encounter against elements of 75th Infantry Battalion in the hinterlands of Brgy Buhisan, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur at around 1:30 pm, November 28, 2017. Government troops conducted security operations in the hinterlands of Lianga and San Agustin all of Surigao del Sur to pursue the terrorists NPAs who were responsible in the killing of two lumads and a soldier with the use of landmines in Purok 5, San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last November 6, 2017.
The encounter lasted for about an hour after afterwhich the NPAs withdrew to different directions leaving their dead comrades behind. Operating troops found the dead bodies and their firearms, an AK47 rifle, an M653 rifle, a compass, blasting caps and detonating cords use to detonate landmine from the encounter site.
The encounter site, is about 7 kilometers away from the Lumad communities in Brgy Diatagon, Lianga and Buhisan, San Agustin where residents were forced by the ALCADEV and TRIFPSS organizers to consolidate in their school in Sitio Simowaw of Diatagon. The ALCADEV and TRIFPSS are known front organizations of the NPAs exploiting the Lumads by coercing and agitating them to evacuate in order to pressure the government in ordering the military to stop its operation against the terrorists. This ploy of these leftist groups to forcibly evacuate the residents is intended to maliciously discredit the government, exhaust its resources, gain national attention, and shield the escaping NPAs from pursuing government forces. The front organizations are said to be illegal schools set up by the NPA to train their future cadres.
In a statement, Col Andres Centino, Commander of 401Bde Brigade assured the people of Lianga and San Agustin that despite the encounter, there is no reason for the residents to evacuate since the area of operations is distant from their communities and intended to pursue the fleeing terrorist NPAs. He also, assured the local leaders that the soldiers are trained, disciplined and have sworn to respect the rights of the people and protect their communities.
