1 NPA, 3 soldiers wounded in Davao encounter

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 27): 1 NPA, 3 soldiers wounded in Davao encounter

An unidentified member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and three government troopers were wounded in a 20-minute gunfight Sunday morning at Sitio Pamara, Barangay Sibulan in Toril District, Davao City.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr., spokesman of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), told reporters that members of 84th Infantry Battalion were conducting security foot patrol in the area when fired upon by around 30 heavily armed NPA rebels.

Brawner said government forces also recovered from the site two M16 rifles and one M203 rifle.

The security foot patrol, he added, was conducted by the government forces upon receiving information from residents in the area about the presence of the NPA rebels.

Eastmincom commander Lt. General Aurelio Baladad expressed gratitude to the residents for providing said information to the government troopers.

Baladad also directed all the army units in Davao region to collaborate with the local government units (LGUs), the civil and peace advocates and religious organizations to ensure the protection of residents in communities.

For his part, 10th Infantry Division commander major General Eduardo Año lauded the civilians in the area for their prompt report on the rebels.

“This is a manifestation that with the cooperation and support of the community, we can altogether prevent lawless armed elements from sowing fear and terror in our communities,” General Año said.

He also assured the populace of the continued presence and support of government troopers in their mandate to protect communities from the threats of NPA rebels.

http://www.mb.com.ph/1-npa-3-soldiers-wounded-in-davao-encounter/