CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) - A wounded member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),  was given a cash of  P3,000 and left behind by his fleeing comrades within the vicinity of Antayon River, Brgy Pigsalohan, Gingoog City, morning of October 29.

It can be recalled that the troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion had an encounter with the same NPA groups which had led to casualty on the side of the rebel group and recovery of one firearm. After that a follow-up pursuit was made and an armed clash between the 58th IB troops and CTGs last October 28.

According to reports, a concerned citizen from Purok 2A Lower Pigsalohan had seen the wounded CTG member near his residence and had immediately informed the patrol base about the presence of the wounded rebel; in which troops from the 58th IB responded to verify and rescue the wounded NPA rebel.

The government troops had immediately extracted the wounded NPA and were given initial medical treatment. He was then rushed to the nearest hospital for proper medical assessment and treatment.

The wounded CTG was later on identified as as Jerry Gonzales Bilohan, a member of Squad 1 of dismantled Guerilla Front Huawe and was found out to be seriously wounded in the upper shoulder.  

Bilohan shared that he felt betrayed by his comrades as they left him behind and also belittled as they had valued his life to a mere P3,000 after being with the group for how many years.

“Again, I am calling the remaining members of the CTGs to come down in peace, if you don’t want the same fate to happen to you. Given only an amount of Php 3,000.00 in exchange for your life? Think about it?,” say 58th IB commanding officer Lt Col. Christian C Uy.

Uy also added that the army will always value life and human rights of every individual including those of the members of CTG, thus continuing to urge the remaining members to peacefully surrender and return to the folds of the laws.

The 58th IB commanding officer commended the residence of Barangay Pigsalohan for their prompt response and timely information that led to the rescue and capture of Bilohan. Currently, Bilohan is in the Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital. (4ID/JAKA/PIA10)