CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Philippine Army calls anew the remaining terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) and their allies to give up their senseless fight and return to the fold of the law.
“The government offers a helping hand through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for their brand-new start,” said Philippine Army 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) commander, Major General Cerilo Balaoro, Jr.
E-CLIP is a program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which offers financial assistance, livelihood training, and other reintegration support to former rebels who choose to surrender.
Last November 5, the 2ID had an encounter with the NPA in a hinterland village of Barangay Villa Pag-asa in Bansud town in Oriental Mindoro, which lasted for 20 minutes before the terrorists fled.
This comes after the troops were conducting security operations in the area at around 5:10 PM when they were confronted by the local terrorists.
“No one was reported hurt on the side of the government during the said encounter while it is still being verified on the terrorists’ side,” 2ID said in a press release.
However, the troops were able to recover an M16 rifle, an M16 rifle upper receiver, three hand grenades, a detonator switch, three magazines for the M16 rifle, and 30 rounds of ammunition.
Balaoro added that the feat was able to disrupt the plans of the terrorist NPA to sow fear in the community. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro/Photos from 2ID-PA)
