Alleged woman NPA wounded in clash vs military in Zamboanga del Norte

August 6, 2020

An alleged New People's Army (NPA) member was wounded in a clash with government forces in Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, commanding officer of 97th Infantry Battalion, said wounded was a woman known only as ''Jekjek'', 18 years old who is a medic and a political instructor.

Boransing said woman "was abandoned by her fleeing comrades after being hit by a bullet in her left gluteal area (buttocks)."

"She was then rescued by the soldiers who were clearing the encounter site," he said.

According to Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, "Jekjek was recruited and brainwashed by the leaders and legal fronts of the CTG ( communist terrorist group) when she was 14 years old."

"She was used and abused during her time with the group and eventually abandoned when she was wounded. That is how the group treats its members”, he said.

Soldiers of the 97th Infantry Battalion encountered armed men in the vicinity of Barangay Midatag, Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte as they were responding to the presence of people looting foodstuffs and getting pigs.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Commander, JTF ZamPeLan, commended the troops and said they will provide medical assistance to ''Jekjek.'' Robina Asido/DMS