INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Soldiers from the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) captured two New People’s Army rebels Thursday after an early morning encounter in in Sorsogon.
Elias Pura, also known as Soling and alias Ino, were captured after the encounter in Batang Ilan Complex, Magallanes Sorsogon, Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, spokesman of the Army 9th Infantry Division, said.
“The success of the operations was primarily due to the strong partnership established between the civilian government, the general public and the military,” Aguilar said. “This partnership gives the government the advantage over the insurgents that are losing the support for sustenance from the masses.”
Puga, who was identified as the leader of the NPA forces in Sorsogon and the Finance Officer of the Bicol Regional Party Committee, yielded one M653 rifle, commonly known as a Baby Armalite.
Alias Ino, who is also a Finance Officer though under the NPA forces in Sorsogon, was wounded in the encounter and was treated on-site by medical personnel from the government.
He was later transferred to a hospital for further treatment.
Aguilar added that government forces recovered two M16 rifles and a carbine in Balud, Masbate.
“It will also ensure of the success of the continuous security operations that the military will undertake to ensure the safety of the people in the Bicol region,” Aguilar said.
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