IN TAYASAN: Army, NPA clash anew

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 1): IN TAYASAN: Army, NPA clash anew

Seven suspected members of the New People's Army, one a female, clashed with government forces in Barangay Tanlad, Tayasan town, in northern Negros Oriental, yesterday morning, with no casualties reported on the government side.

An initial report said members of the Civilian Armed Auxiliary of the Philippine Army, led by a certain Corporal Galapin, conducting security patrol at around 2:15 a.m. about 300 meters from their detachment in Sitio Bulabog 2, Barangay Tanlad, encountered the alleged NPA group and exchanged fire with the suspected rebels for about 20 minutes. The latter split into two groups later, and withdrew towards Sitio Pagatanan, also in the barangay.

Recovered at the site of the encounter were a .45 caliber pistol, with serial number 3093040, and a magazine with six rounds of live ammunition.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302 nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said intelligence reports showed that the NPA had long been planning a tactical offensive at the CAA detachment in Tayasan but could not come close to the well-secured detachment. He described the encounter as a show of force by the NPA, that is now feeling the pressure of the government in obtaining lasting peace for Negros Oriental.

He said the NPA's Larangan Guerilla-1, operating in northern Negros Oriental, now has only about 40 members from 74, since many have transferred to Negros Occidental.

While Negros Oriental will be declared “conflict manageable and development-ready” on May 7, he said there is still a risk that NPAs from the Negros Occidental side will cross boundaries and undertake harassment activities in Negros Oriental.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/May/01/negor1.htm