4ID soldiers scores anew against NPA rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 23): 4ID soldiers scores anew against NPA rebels

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City -- Soldiers from 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division encountered around 10 NPA rebels at Sitio Kasilaan, Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando, Bukidnon at around 5:20 a.m., Tuesday. The troops were conducting combat-clearing operation when the civilian residents tipped them off about the presence of the NPA rebels who were conducting force taxation and collecting foodstuff from the poor farmers in the area.

A firefight ensued that lasted for about 40 minutes which resulted to the recovery of one US Springfield single shot Garand rifle (defaced serial number) with four rounds of live ammunition and subversive documents. No casualty was reported on the government side while the rebels were believed to have suffered casualties based on the unconfirmed information from the locals.

Colonel James V Jacob, commander of 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade said, “We are very thankful to the residents for their timely information that resulted to the successful encounter with the rebels and recovery of high-powered firearms and subversive documents from the NPA rebels. This is a concrete proof of the efforts of the people in the community to thwart the long existing abuses of the rebels. They are now awakened and want to end their sufferings in the hands of these rebels.”

Lieutenant Colonel Jose Maria R Cuerpo II INF (GSC) PA, commanding officer of 8th Infantry Battalion said that the Dependable troopers will continue to exert proactive actions to foil any forms of armed threat from hampering normal activities of the community.

He also said that maintenance of peace is their prime objective in carrying out their tasks to pave way for development in their area of operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Julio C Osias IV, 4ID spokesperson said, “Let us work together to put this extortionists in jail or better, convince them to stop these criminal activities.” (8IB/4ID/PA/PIA10)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1461358845083