NPA threats forces evacuation of 2 communities in Manay, Davao Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): NPA threats forces evacuation of 2 communities in Manay, Davao Oriental

New People's Army (NPA) threats and intimidation forced several residents of Barangays Lambog and Rizal, of Manay town, Davao Oriental to evacuate from their homes.

This was disclosed by 10th Infantry Division public affairs office chief Capt. Rhyan Batchar in a statement Wednesday.

He added barangay officials are complaining that the NPA are forcing residents to support the communist movement and extorting money and food stuff from store owners and ordinary individuals.

Batchar said this prompted the Manay local government unit and police to request the assistance of the 67th Infantry Battalion.

This prompted the unit to deploy troops to help police verify these incidents, triggering a clash Wednesday at Sitio Paliwason, Barangay Lambog, Manay, Davao Oriental.

Batchar said a junior officer, identified as 2nd Lt. Miguel Victor Alejo, a member of Philippine Military Academy "Sinag-lahi" Class 2015 and of Nueva Ecija, was killed in the encounter.

As previously reported, an M-16 Armalite rifle was recovered by the troops.

Reinforcing troops of 67th Infantry immediately proceeded to the area and helped secure the people by moving them away from the encounter area.

The former also recovered another high-powered rifle, an AK-47 and personal belongings left by the fleeing NPAs.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=960333