NPA men attack an army camp, mining firm owned by Monkayo mayor

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 15): NPA men attack an army camp, mining firm owned by Monkayo mayor

A group of New People’s Army (NPA) men simultaneously attacked and ransacked the mining compound of Monkayo Mayor Manuel Brilliantes and the army camp of the 25th Infantry Battalion leaving one private security guard and one member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) dead on Tuesday night in Monkayo, Compostela Valley province.

P/Sr. Supt. Antonio Rivera disclosed that the security guard, whose name was not given, died after engaging the rebels to prevent them from entering the Brilliantes mining compound in Barangay Banlag at around 10:30 on Tuesday. However, rebels were able to enter and ransacked the mining compound.

It was learned that the mining compound houses the office of Brilliantes’ mining firm. It also houses the ball mill plant for gold and stock piles of mining ores.

Newly-assumed Civil Military Officer Lt. Francis Sibal of the 10th Infantry Division told reporters during the AFP-PNP press conference that the rebels under Front Committee 3 of Ka Lope at the same time attacked the 25th Infantry Battalion base in Barangay Banlag.

While the rebels failed to capture the camp and cause heavy damage, Sibal said one CAFGU member identified as Rene Goc-ong was injured and later died at a hospital from a gunshot wound in the neck. Sibal said the bullet hit one major vein in the neck of Goc-ong.

Lt. Vergel Lacambra of the 10th Division Public Affairs Office said that about 20 members of the NPA attacked the army patrol base resulting to a twenty-minute encounter.

Rivera added that at around 11:00 that night, more or less 30 rebels also established a road block along the national highway of Davao-Butuan road at Km. 104, Barangay Bankerohan Sur in Montevista, Compostela Valley. The armed group used one forward truck and one Starex van to block the national highway.

Upon receiving the reports, Rivera said the Montevista police, the Compostela Valley Provincial Police Office and intelligence operatives conducted road security and intensified monitoring along the main supply route in coordination with the Philippine Army (PA) for counter measures.

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