NDF: The AFP’s “overrunning” of an abandoned NPA camp in Agusan del Norte is a big lie

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines Website (Mar 17): The AFP’s “overrunning” of an abandoned NPA camp in Agusan del Norte is a big lie

According to the report of the command of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Front 16, the NPA camp in the mountain area of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte that the 29th IB PA has been bragging as having overrun last March 14, 2016, was a camp abandoned by the Comrades two months ago. The camp was used for gatherings of the NPA Front 16 and their families last Christmas and New Year. Study meetings and trainings were also held there. The items found by the enemy were objects used by the NPA which were hidden and left after the gatherings.

Based on the principle of guerilla warfare and the current level of the people’s war, the NPA does not establish permanent camps or structures. They are mobile to enable them to cover wide areas to launch agrarian revolution, organize the masses, join production work, deliver social services and launch tactical offensives. They only stay for an extended time in one camp for studies and trainings of forces.

It is also the practice of the NPA to clear the camps of structures before leaving. For this reason we were confounded by the statement of the AFP to the media that they found 50 bunkers, a function hall, 20 kitchen and 20 comfort rooms still standing in the camp. We believe that the AFP troops built said structures to show to the media. We call on the media people invited by the AFP to examine said structures whether recent or established for sometime.

The AFP also grossly exaggerated their description of the size of the camp which, according to them, was 10 kilometers wide. In truth, NEMR has never built an NPA camp as big as what was described. By their statement, the AFP itself has belied their past declarations that the NPA in Caraga has greatly decreased in size. It is also a fact that this so called “biggest NPA camp in Caraga” is located in Agusan Norte which they just declared as “conflict manageable and ready for development.” The AFP has also falsely described the camp as located in the quadri-boundary of the provinces of Caraga, as the area is too far from the other provinces.

On another hand, the claim of numerous clashes leading to the “capture” of the camp did not happen as there were no longer any Comrade in the camp. The clashes happened far from the abandoned camp, during the harassments launched by the NPA-Front 16 against the operating troops of the 29th IB which resulted in several casualties from the side of the enemy and damaging their 3 helicopters. These were the reasons why the AFP easily penetrated the camp without any fire fight.

Before the AFP forces entered the abandoned camp, more than a hundred bombs were dropped by bomber planes of the Philippine Air Force and their canons were launched for several days which gravely harassed the Lumads and small miners in the area. The AFP spent so much and greatly harassed the civilians just to satisfy the petty delight of the officials of the 29th IB, 401st Bde and 4th ID PA, for them to be able to show their “success” against the NPA in time for the celebration of their anniversary this March 22.

The latest display of “success” of the officials of the 4th ID and 401st Bde against the NPA-NEMR is but a desperate and frenzied attempt to support their declaration that the 4 provinces of Caraga are “conflict manageable and ready for development.”


(sgd)
Ka Maria Malaya
Spokesperson
NDF-NEMR

http://www.ndfp.org/the-afps-overrunning-of-an-abandoned-npa-camp-in-agusan-del-norte-is-a-big-lie/