Army rescued a rebel minor, recovered high powered firearms

By Maj. FELIX M. MANGYAO (INF) PA
April 27, 2006

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  Elements of the 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion under LtC. Wilson Leyva encountered Forty (40) fully armed Communist Terrorists (CTs) on Wednesday night (April 26) at around 9:45 o’clock in the evening at vicinity Barangay Tutubigan, Paranas, Samar.

In the report given to the 8ID, PA, General Officer-In-Charge, BGen. Oscar Randy Dauz AFP, LtC Wilson Leyva revealed that his troops while conducting combat operations in the Tri-boundaries of Paranas-Motiong-Jiabong complex acted on a report volunteered by the local populace about the presence of 30-40 fully armed CTs conducting extortion activities in the area.

Immediately, LtC Leyva dispatched a platoon of his soldiers to verify the veracity of information. The troops reached the hinter barangay of Tutubigan, Paranas, Samar under the cover of darkness and encountered the resting enemy. Firefight ensued for about ten (10) minutes followed by a running gun battle forcing the enemy to scamper for safety and withdrew towards different directions.

Two top CT leaders were believed to be seriously wounded as evidenced by heavy bloodstains along the route of withdrawal. One CT minor identified as Araz Calinawan from Naval, Biliran province was rescued from the grips of the Communist Terrorist tyranny.

Recovered from the scene of encounter were the following; Two (2) High-powered Firearms M653 (Baby Armalite) Rifles, One Hundred (100) rounds of Link Ammunition for M60 Machine Gun, Six (6) Long and Two (2) short Magazines of M16 Armalite Rifle, personal belongings and One (1) Back pack of subversive documents with high intelligence value.

The band of CTs was believed to be headed by Renato Baleros alias Kanor of the Central Front -1, Samar Provincial Party Committee (SPPC), Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), who was known to be the number one notorious extortionists in the area and responsible in the series of robbery hold-ups and extortion activities along Buray-Taft National Highway and Lokilokon-San Jose de Buan Provincial Road.

The 8ID, General Officer-In-Charge, BGen. Oscar Randy Dauz on the other hand, extends his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Paranas and the local government units of Samar for their full support and cooperation extended to the 14IB by giving the timely intelligence information pinpointing to the exact location of the CTs.

The encounter was a product of timely intelligence information provided by the local populace who are against the CTs extortion activities. A clear manifestation that they desire peace and stability in their barangays.

Further, BGen. Dauz said “I am condemning the CT leadership for continuously recruiting minors in their ranks. This is another proof of exploitation of minors being perpetrated by the CTs. A gross violation to the rights of a child to live a normal life and not to be involved in any armed conflict. I am also calling the attention of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Region - 8, the Head of Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARRIHL) and the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) to investigate and give justice to these oppressed minors”.

“It is my hope that all minors shall be spared from exploitation especially from participating in any armed conflict as they deserve a quiet and normal life, God-fearing, peace-loving and above all responsible member of the community”, Dauz added.