Army, NPA clash anew in Davao del Norte, Sarangani

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): Army, NPA clash anew in Davao del Norte, Sarangani

Skirmishes between government troopers and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were reported in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Sarangani on Sunday, the Philippine Army has said.

A 40-minute gun battle between elements of the 60th Infantry Battalion (IB) and NPA rebels belonging to guerrilla front 33 erupted at 10 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Alungan, Barangay Sangayen, Asuncion, Davao del Norte, Capt. Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of the Agila 10th Infantry Division (ID), told reporters on Monday.

Two rebels were killed during the encounter. Their remains have already been recovered by the Army for identification and disposition.

Batchar added that 60th IB troopers also recovered two AK-47 rifles from the encounter site.

“Two MG520 attack helicopters supported our ground troops during the encounter. Rockets were fired towards the position of the NPA rebels,” he said, adding that another encounter took place Sunday noon in Sarangani.

Elements of the 27th IB engaged in a five-minute encounter with an undetermined number of NPA rebels belonging to guerrilla front 73 at 12:47 noon in Sitio Tulad, Barangay Nalus in Kiamba town, Batchar reported.

“No soldier was hurt in these two incidents while pursuit operations are being conducted against the fleeing NPA rebels.”

The 10th ID also received reports that a number of families from the vicinity of encounter sites fled to safer areas.

“The 60th IB and 27th IB are closely coordinating with the local police and the municipal governments of Asuncion, Davao del Norte and Kiamba, Sarangani, respectively to address the immediate needs of the affected people in the area,” Batchar said.

Military and PNP checkpoints were also established to support the ongoing pursuit operations.

In a statement to the media on Monday, Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, commander of 10th ID lauded the government troopers for their accomplishments.

"We must press on the fight and put more pressure on the NPA until they finally realize that armed struggle is not the solution to our problems," Valencia said.

He added that the CPP-NPA, who recklessly initiated the termination of the unilateral ceasefire, should bear responsibility for the suffering of some residents as a result of the renewed fighting in the countryside.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=967507