Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were captured during combat operations by members of the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion in Sitio Haguines, Barangay Wasig, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday, April 26.

The apprehended individuals were identified as “Ka Aryo,” the second Deputy Secretary of KLG MAV from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4D, and alias “Luoise,” the supply officer of KLG MAV’s Platun Serna and a former liaison of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Regional Staff.

Troops seized various items during the operation, including one Intratec LUGER UZI sub-machine gun, one M1 Carbine rifle, one magazine loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition, 22 rounds of Cal. 45 live ammunition, an improvised hand grenade, two blasting caps, eight mobile phones, one tablet, two power banks, six cellphone chargers, one pocket wifi, two memory cards, seven USB flash drives, four SIM cards, medical supplies, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.

The two captured NPA members are currently undergoing custodial debriefing.

In a statement, 2nd Infantry Jungle Fighter Division Commander Major General Roberto S. Capulong expressed gratitude to the security sector, local government units, and key stakeholders for their cooperation, which contributed to the apprehension of the wanted NPA rebels.

He urged those still in arms to return to the folds of the law, stating, “We continue to urge those who are still in arms to return to the folds of the law so as not to suffer the same fate as these rebels.”