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BUTUAN City – Intensified military operations conducted by the Army in various parts of the Caraga since January have resulted in the capture of 57 hideouts of communist rebels, an official said.

Col. MauritoLicudine, commander of the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, said the military operations against New People’s Army (NPA) were conducted in the hinterlands in response to the “persistent appeal of the people to ensure safety and security.”

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Licudine said the military operations were necessary “so that peace and development efforts in their communities continue.”

The 402nd Brigade covers the provinces of Surigaodel Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands in Caraga.

Licudine said most of the NPA hideouts were overran during armed encounters and routine security patrols.

Data provided by the 402nd IB showed that 14 of the NPA hideouts were seized by government forces during the latter part of the year.

Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., 402nd IB civil-military operations officer, said the latest NPA hideout to fall was located in SitioSuba, Barangay Mabuhay, Tandag City in Surigaodel Sur.

Garello said the hideout can accommodate around 50 NPA members, and yielded two anti-personnel mines, food items, and personal belongings of the rebels.

Licudine said the capture of the hideouts indicated that “the NPAs are now on the run to make their movements mobile to evade the pursuing government troops.”

“The long arms of the law will surely catch them, either they’ll be killed or captured unless they surrender and lay down their arms now,” he added.

He said rebels who decide to surrender will have the chance to go back to normal lives with the support of the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-Clip. (PNA)

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