Navy gunboat deployed to pursue NPA rebels in Mindoro

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 15): Navy gunboat deployed to pursue NPA rebels in Mindoro

The military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) sent out a Navy gunboat off the seas of Mindoro provinces to constrict communist New People’s Army (NPA) responsible in the attack against Paluan Municipal Police Station last week.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, public affairs officer of Solcom, said that Solcom chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya ordered the deployment of a Philippine Navy patrol gunboat as part of the continuing operations against the NPA in Mindoro.

The naval gunboat will augment the relentless ground operations of Army troops against the communists. Aside from the gunboat, Guzman said that Solcom also placed air assets on stand-by.

“We want to constrict them,” Visaya said.

According to the Solcom chief, the presence of the gunboat will deter the NPAs from escaping by returning to mainland Luzon or nearby islands.

“We will make use of our available assets,” he stressed.

Aside from the navy vessel, Visaya said that Air Force assets were also placed on stand-by.

“Attack and transport helicopters are readily available when needed to support the ground operations,” said Visaya.

“We are optimistic to win our campaign in Mindoro,” he added.

Meanwhile, Col. Mariano Antonio Perez Jr. commander of the Army’s 203rd Brigade which has jurisdiction over Occidental Mindaoro are continuously conducting pursuit operations against the NPA attackers of Paluan MPS last Nov. 7 that resulted in the killing of one policeman and a soldier.

Perez said that the focused of the ground operations are known strongholds of the NPAs in Mindoro.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/navy-gunboat-deployed-to-pursue-npa-rebels-in-mindoro