Soldiers, NPA rebels clash in Catanauan, Quezon

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 17): Soldiers, NPA rebels clash in Catanauan, Quezon

A clash ensued between government troops and an undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels early Tuesday morning at the vicinity of South Matalahan, Barangay San Vicente Silangan in Catanauan, Quezon.

Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) acting spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Domingo B. Gobway reported that Philippine Army troops of the 74th Infantry Battalion conducted their combat operations to thwart alleged communist terrorists’ presence in the area when unidentified insurgents fired upon them, wounding one soldier.

The residents in the area disclosed the rebels and dissident group have been extorting money and food stuffs from them.

SOLCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo stated “the NPA continuously violates human rights by conducting ambuscades, attacks against civilians, threat and intimidation for those not paying revolutionary taxes, assassinations and even kidnapping against soldiers conducting peace and development missions in the countryside.”

The SOLCOM commanding general issued marching orders to his troops to intensify their operations against the outlawed NPA.

Lt. Gen. Ordoyo also appealed to the public to provide the military information on the rebels' activities to finally put a stop to this economic and development saboteurs.

He however urged NPA rebels to lay down their arms, return to the fold of law and be part of the developmental and peace initiatives of the government instead of fighting the government.

As of press time, the military forces are still conducting their pursuit operations to capture the fleeing rebels following their encounter in Catanauan’s remote area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=566737