AFP-NPA clashes displace 85 families

From the Manila Standard Today (Jan 25): AFP-NPA clashes displace 85 families

At least 85 families have been forced to leave their homes because of a series of armed clashes between government forces and communist rebels in Barangay Cabilao, Makilala North Cotabato, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Coordinating Council. But according to Lt. Col. Noel dela Cruz, commanding officer of the 57th Infantry Battalion, the sites of the firefights were several kilometers away from the nearest civilian houses. He, however, confirmed the evacuation of some residents upon the advice by state troopers to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Dela Cruz said the series of encounters against a group of New People’s Army that splintered into two three groups started at around 2 p.m. Tuesday after soldiers received information about the alleged extortion activities of the rebels in the area. He said his troops will secure the houses against looters. Our main objective is to neutralize this NPA unit operating in that area to end their terroristic activities such as extortion,” dela Cruz said.

The Office of Civil Defense-Region 12 coordinated with the Makilala Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to attend to the needs of the evacuees. After the military lifted its suspension of military operations or ceasefire, the NPA also ended its truce declaration on January 15. Clashes between state troopers and rebels in several parts of the country resumed.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/01/25/afp-npa-clashes-displace-85-families/