Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) with an arrest warrant were arrested in Barangay Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the two were arrested by virtue of a warrant for multiple attempted homicide issued by a court on August 31, 2022.

CIDG said based on reports, the troops of the 29IB were conducting a combat operation when they engaged around eight members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee in an exchange of fire in Barangay Jaliobong on April 17, 2022.

The firefight lasted for about five minutes, which resulted in the death of two rebels and confiscation of two rifles.

CIDG said the two were tagged as number five and six most wanted persons in the province.

“I commend the CIDG Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit and the joint teams for their swift and responsive police action that resulted in the successful capture of these two Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members. With their arrest, we significantly prevented future terroristic attacks in the community and terror that may sow in the hearts and minds of our kababayans. This is a government’s victory over terrorism,” CIDG Acting Director, Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz, said.