The Manila Times
TROOPS of the 2nd Infantry Division recovered materials from a recent encounter in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, including a notebook that documented the life of recruits within the group of captured alleged New People’s Army (NPA) member Charlize Garzon. Garzon was captured on March 29 by members of the 68th Infantry Battalion and the 203rd Infantry Brigade in an encounter with NPA guerrillas and is currently detained at the San Jose Municipal Police Station, where she faces further investigation. The gun battle between government troops and NPA guerrillas in Sitio Salafay in Barangay Monteclaro resulted in the death of Capt. Dean Buen Oyando and the wounding of two other soldiers. According to the Philippine Army, Garzon was captured a few meters from where Oyando fell, and she now faces a murder charge. Government troops immediately administered first aid, and she later received medical attention to ensure her safety and well-being while in custody. After the encounter, government troops recovered several items from the site, including an M16 rifle, a hand grenade, improvised explosive device (IED) components, and a Muji notebook believed to be owned by a female member, which contains extensive handwritten entries describing various aspects of life and activities within the armed group. The entries include notes describing the NPA’s organizational structure, with references to internal roles and functions within the terrorist group. The journal also contained notes on tactics, techniques, and procedures, including guidance on maneuvering during operations and instructions on what members should do in the event of an armed encounter or if apprehended by government forces. One topic that stood out is the order to deny involvement if captured as stated in the line, “maging inosente sa lahat (play innocent).” The notebook also contained daily personal entries describing life inside the armed group, including details about meals, new experiences such as holding and carrying a rifle, and concerns about the possibility of armed encounters. Some entries reflected fatigue from life in the mountains, including remarks about missing the comforts of city life and a note expressing a desire to go down from the mountains after long periods without a proper bath. The notebook also contained an account of her experience in the March 24 encounter in Sitio Danlog of the same village, where the NPA member wrote, “walang martsa o rali na makakapaghanda sayo sa lakaran sa bundok (No march or street rally can prepare you for the trek in the mountains).” The NPA member’s entries reflected ideological engagement with the movement. In one passage, she discussed what she perceived as weaknesses within their activities and offered recommendations, writing, “kailangan pataasin ang rebolusyonaryong inisyatiba natin (We need to advance our revolutionary initiative).” The journal also contained drawings and sketches of her personal belongings and surroundings, including maps illustrating how their makeshift camps were structured. These sketches depicted areas such as sleeping quarters, kitchen spaces, and other sections used by group members while staying in temporary encampments as they moved from one area to another. In a statement, Col. Michael Aquino, chief of the 2nd Division Public Affairs Office, said the notebook’s contents provide significant insight into the internal dynamics and how new members were integrated into the armed struggle. “The entries recovered from the encounter site provide a clearer picture of involvement within the organization. The writings describe operational procedures, experiences within the group, and even ideological reflections, which strongly contradict attempts to portray them as just someone merely observing or conducting cultural work,” Aquino said. He added that government forces remain committed to lawful conduct even while pursuing armed groups responsible for violence in communities. “Despite the circumstances of Garzon’s capture and the charges she is facing, our troops ensured that she received first aid and medical attention. This reflects our adherence to the rule of law and our respect for human dignity and the International Humanitarian Law,” Aquino said. Aquino noted that while narratives continue to circulate online, the materials recovered from the encounter site provide important factual context regarding the circumstances of the operation. “The details contained in the notebook reflect aspects of life and activities within the armed group that are difficult to dispute. These materials speak for themselves,” he added.
Go to News Site