NPAs remain active in Mindanao

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 6): NPAs remain active in Mindanao

A soldier was wounded after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels ambushed a military vehicle in Kaimba, Sarangani on Monday.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Leander, 27th Infantry Battalion commander, said elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion (27IB) were on their way to Barangay Lomuyon, Kiamba to conduct community immersion when they were waylaid by at least seven NPA rebels.

He said the soldiers were able to return fire which prompted the rebels to withdraw toward the mountaneous area ,” Leander said.

Col. Tyne Banas, 1002nd Army Brigade commander, said additional troops were dispatched in the area to track down the fleeing rebels.

Meanwhile, in Sta. Maria, Veruela, Agusan del Sur, troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB) captured three Communist insurgents and recovered improvised bombs, high-caliber rifles, pistols and several rounds of live ammunition.

In his initial report to Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza, commanding officer of the Army’s 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade, Lt. Col. Rommel Pagayon, 26th IB commander, identified the alleged NPA rebels as Bernie S. Perez, alias “Ka Ariel”; Joel S. Perez, alias “Ka Jo” and Nino S. Perez, alias “Ka Onin”.

“Research done by the intelligence operatives and Philippine National Police revealed that Bernie S Perez, alias ‘Ka Ariel’ has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder,” Col. Pagayon disclosed.

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/06/npas-remain-active-in-mindanao/