Army thwarts terror attacks, wounds NPA rebels in Bukidnon clash

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 25): Army thwarts terror attacks, wounds NPA rebels in Bukidnon clash

Soldiers of the 41st Division Reconnaissance Company under the operational control of 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army thwarted on Sunday worse terroristic activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) bandits.

In a spot report, July 24, at around 10:40 a.m, in a dense area of Sitio Salumayag, Brgy. Halapitan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, the government troops encountered more or less 20 armed men believed to be NPA bandits coming from SPP4, Guerilla Front 6 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

The stern fire-fight lasted for about 30 minutes until the communist rebels fled and scampered to different directions bringing along with them their wounded comrades showing globs of blood splotched along their escape routes.

However, as the soldiers conducted pursuit operations, the NPAs planted some Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) along the civilians’ route on the road.

The IED explosions wounded two soldiers who were immediately applied first aid before turning them over to the nearest medical institution for further treatment.

The 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) has intensified its combat operations to locate rebels in order to prevent them from exploiting further violence and atrocities that may impede peace and development in communities.  

In a statement, 8IB Commanding Officer Lt Col Lennon G Babilonia condemned the NPAs for hampering development in the remote areas by continually collecting revolutionary taxes from the populace as reported by residents.

He said he was also disappointed that these rebels continue to obstruct peace at any expense even if it is detrimental to civilians.

“I am saddened by the fact that these NPA bandits plant IEDs to where civilians pass. This is too dangerous because everyone can be a victim. They must realize that violence is not the answer for the ideology they are fighting for, instead this will pile-up numerous crimes they committed against the community,” he said.

Meanwhile, he commended the wounded soldiers during the clash.

“I am so proud of our soldiers because they risked lives in order to attain peace and development in our country. These heroic acts are very commendable. As the commanding officer of your Dependable Battalion, I promise to the people of Bukidnon that we will always do our best to serve you even at our own risk,” Babilonia said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501469428111/army-thwarts-terror-attacks-wounds-npa-rebels-in-bukidnon-clash