Troops capture 2 young NPA fighters in South

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Troops captured two young communist rebels, one of them wounded in clashes in the southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.

Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show the captured NPA amazon.

Army Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said a 17-year old New People’s Army fighter was rushed by soldiers to hospital after being shot in the leg and thigh in Bukidnon province during a firefight Friday.

He said troops also recovered a hand grenade and improvised explosive from the rebel, who was left behind by her group in the village of Sinuda in Kitatao town.

“The 17-year old NPA rebel was wounded in the left thigh and lower right leg. She gave up on pursuing troops after she was abandoned by her group who scampered in different directions. Recovered from her possession were an International Humanitarian Law banned improvised landmine and a hand grenade,” Balagtey said, adding, the rebel told soldiers that she was recruited by her uncle to join the NPA two years ago.

Another young NPA fighter was also captured in the same village on Thursday following a clash with the communist group.

Army Lt. Gen Jose Faustino Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said time is running out for the rebel group as the military continues its campaign against the NPA.

He also cited the female rebel wounded in the fighting in Bukidnon, saying, pursuing troops found her and immediately gave her first aid before bringing her to hospital. “It is a miracle that she was found by our forces. An hour late could have been fatal as she could have died due to loss of blood,” Faustino said.

Faustino condemned the unabated recruitment of minors by the NPA and use them to fighting the democratic government. “With dwindling mass bases and relevancy, the NPAs in Mindanao are recruiting minors and students to beef up their ranks sometimes using these types of schools as covers,” he said.

“It will take a while for her to adjust to normal life as she has just undergone surgery. Wounds heal, but the trauma still exists. Just like hundreds of NPA minors who have been rescued and eventually surrendered to the government, she will surely live her dreams and explore her talents and potentials away from the clutches of her former comrades,” Faustino said.

The NPA has been waging a violent secessionist campaign for many decades now. (Zamboanga Post)

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