AGUSAN del Sur – Napatay ng mga tauhan ng Philippine Army, 10th Infantry “Aguila” Battalion, na pinamumunuan ni Maj. General Ernesto Torres Jr., ang isang high ranking communist leader ng New People’s Army at ang asawa nito sa kilusan na nagsisilbing NPA medical officer, sa sagupaan noong Lunes ng umaga sa Barangay Sta. Maria, bayan ng Trento, sa lalawigang ito.

Ayon sa ulat na isinumite kay Maj. Gen, Torres, bandang alas-9:00 ng umaga nang matunton ng mga elemento ng Philippine Army 67th Infantry Battalion, sa ilalim ng Army 701st Brigade na nagsasagawa ng pursuit and clearing operation, ang pinagtataguan ng mga rebelde.

Napatay matapos ang ilang minutong palitan ng putok si Danny Huit, alyas “Bosyong,” secretary ng Guerilla Front North, Sub-Regional Command 1, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee at ang asawa nito na sinasabing NPA medic na kinilalang si Naneth G. Catalino alyas “Bambam/Keith”.

Ayon kay Lt. Col. Louie G. Dema-ala, Battalion commander ng 67th Infantry “Aguila” Battalion, si Danny Huit ay may nakabinbin na limang warrants of arrest sa kasong frustrated murder, homicide, arson at rebellion sa Regional Trial Court Branches 7, 32 at 3 sa nasabing lalawigan.

“The timely and immediate reporting of the civilians about the presence of the CTGs in the area is the biggest factor of this successful neutralization of @Bosyong, the Front secretary of GF North. Their timely information led to the immediate action in our part that resulted to this significant accomplishment,” ani Lt. Col Dema-ala.

Pinapurihan naman ni Col. Oliver C. Maquiling, 701st Brigade commander, ang kanilang mga tauhan sa kanilang puspusang pagtugis sa mga kasapi ng CPP-NPA at sa mga residente ng Sta. Maria na agad nagturo sa kinaroroonan ng mga rebelde kasabay ng panawagan sa nalalabing NPA na sumuko na at kalimutan na ang kanilang maling idelohiya at samantalahin ang alok na pagbabagong buhay ng pamahalaan.

“I would like to extend my commendation to the steadfast and determined commitment to duty of 67th Infantry Battalion, 701st Brigade and the troops for ensuring peace in our area of responsibility. Team Aguila will continue to perform its mandate of protecting the people from lawless elements and terrorist. We will not give them an inch to bring terror in a peace-loving community.”

“Should they (NPA) fear us, they can accept our offer of a smooth and beneficial surrender. The government is much willing to provide them opportunity to have a better life than reigning terror,” dagdag pa ni Maj. Gen. Torres Jr. (JESSE KABEL)