DALAWANG young combatant ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army ang nadakip ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng mga pulis at militar sa Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.

Ayon sa ulat na ipinarating sa tanggapan ni Philippine Army chief, Lt. General Roy Galido, may dalawang menor de edad na nalalabing kasapi ng dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF) ng CPP-NPA Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) ang nakubkob ng Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion at PNP’s 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOCPMFC) sa Don Salvador Benedicto, kamakalawa.

Kasunod ito ng natanggap na sumbong ng 1st NOCPMFC sa mga residente hinggil sa presensya ng mga armadong kalalakihan sa Sitio Humayan, Barangay Pinowayan ng nasabing bayan.

Agad na naglunsad ng Joint Enhanced Military and Police Operations (JEMPO) ang 79IB at PNP na nagresulta sa pagkaaresto sa dalawang menor de edad na kinilalang sina Adonis Alforque, 16, at Jonidel Alforque, 17-anyos.

Nakuha sa kanilang pag-iingat ang dalawang KG9 machine pistol, isang .45 caliber pistol, dalawang homemade shotguns, isang 12-gauge shotgun, isang .38 caliber revolver, isang kahon ng ammunition para sa .45 caliber pistol, iba’t ibang magazines and ammunition, at tatlong backpack na may personal belongings.

Sinasabing pinaghihinalaan ang dalawa na sangkot sa shooting incident sa nasabing barangay.

Pansamantalang isasalang sa follow-up investigation ang dalawa bago ibigay sa kustodiya ng DSWD for proper disposition.

Pinasalamatan naman ng pamunuan ng 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division ang mga tauhan ng 79IB at 1st NOCPMFC, at ang mga lokal residente sa kanilang pakikipagtulungan sa kampanya kontra terorismo na nagresulta sa pagkakadakip sa remnants ng NNF.

“It’s disheartening to think that the individuals we apprehended are minors associated with the CTG. Nevertheless, they must be held accountable for the crimes they have committed. Their capture will bring justice to the victims of their illicit actions and other atrocities. Congratulations to our 79IB and PNP for the commendable JEMPO,” ani Major General Marion R. Sison, commander, 3ID.

“The continued vigilance and cooperation of the Negrenses against the remaining members of the dismantled guerilla fronts of the CTG in Negros is actually one of the positive impacts of a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) environment.”

“The declaration of SIPS in Negros Occidental streamlines the anti-insurgency efforts of the government, making people more cautious and aware of the movement and activities of the communist terrorists and responsible for the sustainment of peace and progress of their province. Let’s maintain our unity as we work together to achieve a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) state, not just in Negros Island, but also in Western and Central Visayas,” dagdag pa ni MGen. Sison.

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)