Monday, August 11, 2014

(Update/changing dateline) Army’s Peace and Development Team attacked, one dead

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 11): (Update/changing dateline) Army’s Peace and Development Team attacked, one dead

A Peace and Development Team (PDT) of Bravo Company, 60IB conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in the village of Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, was attacked Monday by an undetermined number of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, leaving one soldier dead.

The Eastern Mindanao Command reported that at around 5:40 a.m. on Monday (August 11), the NPA fired at the temporary patrol base of a detachment of “B” Company, 60IB situated at the vicinity of Sitio Kapatagan, Bgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

Capt. Jose Gamos said that based on the accounts, the NPA positioned themselves at a nearby school and church during the attack making it difficult for the government troops to retaliate. The attack left one soldier killed, whose name is withheld as of this posting.

According to Gamos, the government troops’ presence at Sito Kapatagan was requested by the tribal leaders of the area, as recently reiterated by IP leader Datu Arturo Davao and Kapalong Municipal Administrator Gaspar Balingao. The tribal leaders wished the area to be secured from armed insurgents who continuously posted a threat and intimidated the tribal folks.

He said the soldiers are currently in the phase of gathering vital data on the needs of the people in order to fast track the delivery of effective government projects.

Gamos surmised that the CPP- NPA probably sees the potential development in the area as a hindrance to the advancement of their political agenda and thus made efforts to disrupt the Peace and Development Outreach Program.

The casualty was immediately evacuated to Eastern Mindanao Headquarters, Panacan, this city. The area was immediately secured while government forces conduct hot pursuit operations. No civilian casualties were reported.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=671654

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