ILIGAN CITY – Army troopers saved a wounded New People’s Army (NPA) fighter who was abandoned by his comrades in Barangay Guibo, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, Wednesday afternoon.
The military identified the rescued NPA member as one alias Lando, 27, who was wounded during the encounter between the troops of 97th Infantry Battalion and the rebels in Barangay Pange, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, last May 4.
Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, 97IB commander, said the wounded rebel is a member of Team Abe, Squad 2, Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) of the Western Regional Party Committee.
“Accordingly, he was also the gunner of the M60 general purpose machine gun that was recovered by our troops during the last encounter,” Boransing said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col Jo-ar Herrera, 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said the unit responded to information from the locals that a wounded NPA rebel was trying to seek medical help and refuge in one of the sitio of the said barangay.
Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of 102nd Infantry Brigade, said alias Lando will be attended and treated by military doctors.
Major Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division commander, commended the troops for protecting lives even the life of their own enemy.
The rescued NPA is undergoing medical treatment at Kuta Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital. (Bonita Ermac)