A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while another was captured following a skirmish with government forces in Barangay Kagawasa in Kibawe, Bukidnon, a regional Philippine Army spokesman yesterday said.
Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, spokesman of Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID), also said elements from the Army’s 1st Special Forces Battalion under Lt. Col. Nasser P. Lidasan, also recovered one M14 rifle, one M16 Armalite rifle, 3 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 5 back packs with NPA personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
NPA THREATS IN VILLAGES
Speaking before reporters during the regular Armed Forces of the Philippines–Philippine National Police press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City, Eastern Mindanao Command commander Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero said intensified campaigns of the command from 2014 up to last year had already reduced the influence of the NPAs in villages in the area – from 400 barangays down to 273.
“There were 496 barangays affected by the presence of NPAs during the first quarter of 2015 in our area of jurisdiction, a number lower compared to 514 barangays during the last part of 2014,” Guerrero said.
He added that the diminishing NPA influence in the 273 villages was attributed to the convergence of government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in reaching remote areas and the delivery of basic services to residents.
The efforts, he added is part of the continuing implementation of the peace and development program of the AFP in Northern and Eastern Mindanao.
CONCERNED CITIZENS’ TIP
The Bukidnon gun battle took place after presence of the said NPA group was tipped-off by the concerned civilians who were victimized by the rebel group’s extortion activities, the 4th ID spokesman claimed.
Capt. Martinez, quoting civilians in the area, said NPA group is planning to conduct hostile activities to hamper development in the area.
Upon the receipt of said information, Col. Lidasan immediately dispatched troops to address the said situation, he said.
“Unmindful of the civilians nearby, the NPAs indiscriminately opened fire but the troops managed to maneuver to a vantage position, keeping the civilians away from danger,” Capt. Martinez said.
He said the gunbattle lasted for about 40 minutes before the rebels retreated to a forested and mountainous area.
http://www.mb.com.ph/npa-rebel-killed-in-bukidnon-clash-afp-cites-reds-dwindling-influence/
WANING N.P.A. INFLUENCE – Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero (left), commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command and Philippine National Police–11 Regional Director Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario discuss with reporters the declining presence and influence of the New Peoples Army in Mindanao during a press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City. (Alexander D. Lopez)
NPA THREATS IN VILLAGES
Meantime, a senior military official bared that the number of villages still under threat from the NPA in the Davao region, Caraga and Northern Mindanao has dropped significantly to 273.
“There were 496 barangays affected by the presence of NPAs during the first quarter of 2015 in our area of jurisdiction, a number lower compared to 514 barangays during the last part of 2014,” Guerrero said.
He added that the diminishing NPA influence in the 273 villages was attributed to the convergence of government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in reaching remote areas and the delivery of basic services to residents.
The efforts, he added is part of the continuing implementation of the peace and development program of the AFP in Northern and Eastern Mindanao.
CONCERNED CITIZENS’ TIP
The Bukidnon gun battle took place after presence of the said NPA group was tipped-off by the concerned civilians who were victimized by the rebel group’s extortion activities, the 4th ID spokesman claimed.
Capt. Martinez, quoting civilians in the area, said NPA group is planning to conduct hostile activities to hamper development in the area.
Upon the receipt of said information, Col. Lidasan immediately dispatched troops to address the said situation, he said.
“Unmindful of the civilians nearby, the NPAs indiscriminately opened fire but the troops managed to maneuver to a vantage position, keeping the civilians away from danger,” Capt. Martinez said.
He said the gunbattle lasted for about 40 minutes before the rebels retreated to a forested and mountainous area.
http://www.mb.com.ph/npa-rebel-killed-in-bukidnon-clash-afp-cites-reds-dwindling-influence/
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