CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division’s medical frontliners from Camp Evangelista Station Hospital (CESH) provided medical care to a wounded female CPP-NPA-NDF or the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member who was captured by the troops at Sitio Kamaca, Barangay Bontongon, Impasugong, Bukidnon around 11:00PM on September 23, 2021.
Army Doctors and Nurses of 4ID gave immediate medical attention to a wounded female CTG member identified as Lody Han-ayan Ampildon alias Diane, 18 yrs old, resident of Purok 5, Sitio Mahayag, Brgy St. Peter, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon after she was evacuated by Helicopter to CESH on Friday afternoon, September 24, 2021. She has gunshot wounds in her left leg, right arm, and waist.
Major General Romeo S Brawner Jr, Commander of 4ID, said that the accomplishment was a result of the 8th Infantry Battalion’s continuous loudspeaker operations which encouraged civilian residents to cooperate and report resulting in alias Diane’s capture.
“Alias Diane is a medic of Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) COMPAQ of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and has been with the CTG for 7 months. Our call of peace thru loudspeaker operations since the encounter last September 20, 2021 in Malaybalay City emboldened the populace in the said area to report the location of alias Diane to our troops”, said MGen Brawner Jr.
Meanwhile, it can be recalled that a wounded female CTG leader identified as Mary Joy Arevalo Antiha alias Nikki/Kib, the Political Instructor of Platoon Dos of Guerilla Front Malayag of NCMRC, who was captured along with other nine (9) CNTs in an encounter with 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB) last September 8, 2021 in San Fernando, Bukidnon was also given proper medical treatment by CESH medical frontliners and underwent successful major surgical operation.
Antiha, 24, resident of Valencia City, Bukidnon has been under the medical care of the CESH doctors and nurses while recuperating from surgery and still on isolation after she was confirmed positive with COVID 19 Delta Variant CT 19 (mild case).
“Dako akong pasalamat sa medical frontliners diri sa kampo ug ang 88IB na wala nila ko gipasagdan gikan pa sa engkwentro. Ang kasundalohan ang nag alsa sa akoa, nangitag paagi matambalan ko. Ug sa ani nako na kahimtang, ang mga nurses pirmi mag assist sa akoa. Mao dako gyud akong pasalamat sa ila”, Mary Joy said. (I am thankful to the medical frontliners here in Camp Evangelista and to 88th Infantry Battalion for taking care of me even after the encounter. The soldiers were the ones who carried me and look for ways to get me treated. With my situation, the nurses here have always assisted me. Big thanks to them.)
Major Ronald C Ancheta, CESH Officer-in-Charge, said that since January 2021, there were already 9 CNTs who underwent major operation due to injuries caused by encounters with government troops. He said that as an Officer and a surgeon, he will provide medical treatment whether one is a member of the CTG or an Army trooper in the name of dedicated service.
In his statement, MGen Brawner Jr said that the soldiers strictly adhere to the International Humanitarian Law and are professional individuals committed to respect human rights even of those considered enemies of the state but unable to fight any more.
“Diane was abandoned and left behind by her group. Fortunately our troops found her and immediately applied first aid to prevent loss of blood. This is the true color of the Communist Terrorist Group, their NPA fighters are treated without regard and value. We appeal to them to reject this kind of treatment and instead follow the path of peace”, MGen Brawner Jr added.
MGen Brawner Jr also highlighted the participation of the Army Doctors, Nurses and other personnel as among the silent heroes that significantly contributed to the mission accomplishment of 4ID not only by ensuring to properly provide medical attention to injured and sick soldiers and their dependents but also in taking care and saving the lives of wounded members of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
“Alias Diane and Nikki are among the living testimonies of how the Army respects human rights and cares for captured CTG members. It’s a fulfillment on our part as soldiers to see that lives are saved. It’s our belief that they are also victims of the wrong ideology and the treachery of the CPP-NPA-NDF. Once again, we call on to all the remaining CTG members to return to the folds of the law and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Rest assured that your Army will ensure your safety and provide better opportunities as you transition towards the mainstream society”, MGen Brawner Jr said.
