Army uncovers CNT hideout in AgNor town

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The troopers of 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion discovered another hideout of the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) in the forested area of Sitio Fatima, Barangay Ibuan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on October 17, 2020, at around 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

While the troops were conducting security operations, they discovered an abandoned CNT hideout which has an estimated land area of two hundred square meters (200m) that can accommodate more or less twenty (20) persons and believed to be abandoned for about a month ago prior to discovery.

The government troops also seized in said abandoned hideout twenty (20) rolls of Blasting Cap Leg Wire; one (1) D-Size Battery (Eveready); and one (1) small Plastic Box.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting Commanding Officer of 23IB expressed his gladness on the continuous recovery of CNT hideouts stating that they will be having a hard time adjusting to their present situation.

“As we can see, these CNTs have been leaving their hideouts and they cannot settle in a stable place because surely, the troops will always locate them wherever they hide. I don’t know how deep the CNT propaganda have rooted in the soul of the NPAs why they still choose to suffer living in the mountains. I cannot imagine why they choose to live in those temporary-built hideouts which cannot even protect them nor provide convenience to their daily living, where in fact, they can go back to their respective homes and live a peaceful life with their families,” Paulo said.

He also called on the people of Barangay Ibuan, be vigilant on the activities of the CNTs whom he described as traitors for their continued disrespect of human rights.

“These CNT members are killers as they always have that intention to kill, not only the government forces but also the innocent civilians, especially the Indigenous Peoples (IPs),” Paulo said.

He emphasized that the recovered blasting caps, leg wires, and other war paraphernalia are proofs of CNT's continued production and use of the banned Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which brings great threat not only to the government forces but also to the innocent civilians.

“We encourage everyone to stop supporting their group whenever they will go back to the said hideout. Report it immediately to us in order to prevent them from conducting atrocities in your peaceful community. Let us help one another to end this insurgency that affects the lives of most Filipinos,” Paulo said.

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA