Military troops in Davao Oriental thwarted attempts by the New People’s Army (NPA) to re-influence Davao Oriental, which has been declared by the government as development-ready in April 2013.
The troops from the Army’s 28th infantry Battalion met the armed group with two clashes, one in the morning of August 5 and another at noon of August 7, at Sitio Cabuntongan, Barangay Tagbinunga,
Lt. Ernest Carolina, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said in a press statement that the government troops conducted patrols in the area in response to the complaints of the barangay folks regarding the recent recurrence of the extortion and harassment, forcing village folks to provide them food.
Carolina disclosed that three days before the first clash, the same group burned two units of bulldozers and two units of backhoe owned by Monarch Heavy Equipment at Sitio Sawidan of same barangay to force the owner to give in to their extortion demands.
While the engaged troops were searching the encounter site after the brief second firefight, a certain Felipe Nacion alias Jack, appeared and surrendered to them with his AK 47 rifle admitting that he is a member of Team Baking, Squad 2, GF 18, SMRC. Nacion was left behind by his comrades during their withdrawal.
Further clearing of the area resulted to the recovery of 3 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 20 backpacks containing personal effects, medical and dental paraphernalia, and assorted ordnance items left behind by the withdrawing bandits.
Subsequently at around 7:00 p.m. of the same day, information was received of another NPA member with a gunshot wound surfaced at Sitio Calatagan, Barangay Calapagan, Lupon, and requested the residents to inform the military that he wanted to surrender. A team from 28IB was sent to the area to fetch the person, who was later identified to be a ranking leader (name withheld) of the NPA’s “PBC 3” group.
He was then evacuated to Hqs 701st Brigade and given initial treatment by its medical team. He was later brought to
Meanwhile, pursuing government troops with K9 Team tracked 3 IEDs, and 17 backpacks containing assorted NPA belongings.
In coordination with the provincial government under Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon and the Mati City government under Mayor Carlo Luis Rabat and the Provincial Police Office led by PSSUPT Jose Carumba, pulong-pulong/dialogues were held at Barangays Tagbinonga and Taguibo by Army troops led by LTC Benjamin Daniel Tianco, Commander of 28IB, to inform the people of the situation and assured them of the relentless effort of the government to ensure their safety.
Likewise, foodstuffs and relief goods were distributed to offset the disturbance of their productive livelihood activities.
The military operation has resulted to the recovery of one AK 47 Rifle with three magazines and ammunition, seven improvised explosive devices, three Rifle Grenades, assorted magazines and ammunition, 50 meters detonating wire, an electronic tester, 37 backpacks containing personal effects, assorted medical and dental paraphernalia and medicines, army and PNP uniforms, and subversive documents.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=671664
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.