4ID troops encountered NPA rebels, 2 firearms, 1 landmine recovered

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 13): 4ID troops encountered NPA rebels, 2 firearms, 1 landmine recovered

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City -- Troops in pursuit under 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion of 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army encountered more or less 30 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels believed to be members of Sentro De Gravidad JAGU of Guerilla Front 4B, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee under Marvin Lutawan a.k.a. Budo at the outskirt of Sitio Ilaja, Barangay Aposkahoy, Claveria, Misamis Oriental at around 10:00 a.m., August 12, 2015.

After receiving the information from a concern civilian, LtC Jose Eriel Niembra, commanding officer of 58IB directed his troops to proceed towards Balatukan Mountain Range.

Upon arrival, one NPA (guarding the route) discriminately opened fire towards 58IB troops which sparks the firefight that lasted for about an hour.

NPA withdrew out of engagement area leaving one M16 and one Carbine rifles, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) with 14 blasting cap and wires, one solar panel, two cellphones with TM sim card, two memory cards with subversive information, two ICOM radio with charger, one linked ammunitions for K3 machine gun, a Voters Identification Card (identity is subject for verification by the Philippine National Police (PNP), and  20 backpacks with personal belongings and voluminous subversive documents with high intelligence value.

No casualty was reported on the government side while the rebels were believed to have suffered heavy casualties based on the bloodstains splattered in their route of withdrawal.

Civilians have seen the NPAs carrying their wounded and dead comrades.

Colonel Jesse A Alvarez, commander of 403rd Infantry “Peace Maker” Brigade said, “We would like to thank the people for their cooperation especially in giving timely information to our troops that resulted to the successful encounter and the recovery of high powered firearms and subversive documents from the NPA rebels.”

He also urged to work together to put these criminals in jail or much better, convince them to stop the criminal activities and encouraged them to go back to the folds of the law.

For his part, Major General Oscar T Lactao, 4ID commander, commended the gallant troops who successfully encountered the bandits they are pursuing in the area.

Let us continue our efforts to pressure these NPAs to stop their atrocities that made our people’s lives miserable, said MGen Lactao.

He further said, “To the leader of the NPA group we encountered, if you really care for your wounded comrades, you will bring them to the nearest hospital. We are also offering our hospital to cater for their medical needs. We shall not let them die in the mountains without realizing the true meaning of peace.” (4ID PA)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1461439443555/4id-troops-encountered-npa-rebels-2-firearms-1-landmine-recovered