From the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the CPP Website (Mar 7): NPA launches series of tactical offensives in NCotabato
The Mt. Apo Subregional Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) launched a series of offensives in North Cotabato in February, killing nine enemy elements and wounding nine others.
On February 18, the NPA used command-detonated explosives (CDX) on a detachment of the 39th IB in Sitio Jansig, Barangay Old Bulatukan, Makilala at around 3:30 a.m. The Red fighters were also able to seize an M14 rifle, several backpacks, vests and medical equipment. On the other hand, a guerrilla was martyred and two other Red fighters were wounded.
On February 27, at around 3 p.m., an NPA unit ambushed a convoy composed of troops from the 57th IB and the Philippine National Police escorting Mayor Jaime Mahimpit through Barangay Datu Inda, President Roxas, North Cotabato. Wounded in the CDX explosion were three policemen, including their team leader.
Ka Isabel Fermiza, Mt. Apo Subregional Command spokesperson, clarified in a statement that Mayor Mahimpit was not the target of this particular tactical offensive.
The ambush’s objective was to stop the 57th IB from continuing with its intensifying military operations in the towns of President Roxas, Magpet and Arakan. The military operations began after the 39th IB took over the 57th IB’s area of operations in early January.
In related news, four soldiers from the 49th IB were wounded in a harassment operation launched by an NPA team under the Norben Gruta Command at noon of February 13 in Barangay Patalunan, Ragay, Camarines Sur.
In a report from Ka Diego Magtanggol, spokesperson of the Norben Gruta Command of West Camarines Sur, the NPA team carefully closed in and opened fire on the resting soldiers. The exchange of fire lasted a few minutes, after which the Red fighters were able to maneuver for a safe retreat.
Meanwhile, the Merardo Arce Command (NPA-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command) apologized to the civilians who were inadvertently wounded in an NPA ambush on the 39th IB on the night of March 2 in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
The four civilians were aboard an ambulance embedded in a military convoy that was on its way to collect 11 soldiers wounded in an NPA ambush earlier that day in nearby Barangay Managa. Aside from the wounded, 13 other soldiers were killed in the previous ambush.
According to Merardo Arce Command spokesperson Ka Rigoberto Sanchez, the Red fighters failed to note the ambulance’s presence within the military convoy because the 39th IB ordered it not to use its headlights or sirens.
Sanchez said that they wound immediately provide assistance to the wounded civilians.
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20140307/npa-launches-series-of-tactical-offensives-in-ncotabato
Ang Bayan is the official propaganda news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides propaganda/news about the work of the Party and provides its analysis of and standpoint on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.
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