North Cotabato braces for possible spillover of clashes in Davao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): North Cotabato braces for possible spillover of clashes in Davao del Sur

Authorities here are on heightened alert over the possible spillover of clashes to this town between the military and New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Managa situated in the adjacent town of Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Lt. Silver Belvis, Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion spokesman, said troops were deployed to the boundary of Makilala-Bansalan towns to block rebels from withdrawing to the North Cotabato area after the military used airstrike and 105 howitzer mortar projectiles in flushing out rebel positions in Managa village since Sunday.

The atrocity forced 150 families to vacate their houses. They are now sheltered at the Managa village evacuation center.

Belvis said government forces overran an NPA camp that could accommodate at least 60 rebels; and recovered 40 tents, utensils and some subversive documents.

According to Belvis, they are currently conducting tight monitoring with counterparts in remote villages here that rebels usually use as escape routes.

Police and military personnel are jointly coordinating their intelligence capability to ensure timely response and prepare for any diversionary attacks from rebel fronts operating in the province.

Belvis said he believes that the rebels are currently trapped in the mountainous area of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato following the Sunday heavy firefight.

Meanwhile, the military is continuously conducting foot-patrol operations in considered NPA-influenced areas in North Cotabato province that include parts of Makilala, Magpet, Arakan, Antipas, President Roxas, Tulunan, M’lang, and Kidapawan City.

Military operations against the NPA rebels remain in full swing after initial peace overtures between the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and NPAs bogged down.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=967534