2 armed rebels captured after gunfight with military in Isabela

Isabela, Philippines – Two suspected New People’s Army guerrillas were captured by government troops after a firefight on Sunday, April 20, in Jones, Isabela, leaving them no chance to escape from the authorities.

Troops from the 86th Infantry Battalion were deployed to look for the remaining members of the dismantled Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KRCV) after receiving information from a concerned citizen about the location of some rebels. It was around 6:00 a.m. on Sunday when a gunfight erupted in Barangay Dicamay 2.

The firefight ended in the arrest of two members of the KRCV and the recovery of some improvised explosive devices, magazines, ammunition, and other personal belongings of the rebels.

5th Infantry Division Commander, MGen. Gulliver L. Señires once again reiterated his call to the remaining guerrillas to surrender. He likewise emphasized the mandate of the military to protect the Filipinos and uphold peace, and that they are not going to think twice to enforce this, especially when the security of the people is at stake.

“Hindi pa huli ang lahat. Ang pintuan ng pagbabalik-loob ay bukas pa rin. Ngunit habang pinipili ninyong humawak ng armas, kami ay mananatiling matatag sa aming paninindigan na ipaglaban ang kapayapaan para sa taong-bayan," he said in a statement.