THE New People’s Army (NPA) attacked a military detachment in Barangay Carmen, Baguio District, Davao City, on Thursday afternoon, days after President Rodrigo Duterte categorized them as a terrorist organization.
Lieutenant Colonel Raymund Lachica, Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said that Charlie Company Command Post of 3rd Infantry Battalion located in Baguio District was harassed by undetermined number of terrorists who caused fear among nearby residents.
The attack happened around 4:30 p.m. “The terrorist positioned themselves 50 meters from the Patrol Base and delivered sniping/single-shot fires for about three minutes,” Lachica said.
However, he added that the troops stayed alert and held down themselves to fire back and maneuvered the enemy position.
No casualties were recorded on the government side but they are certain that there are wounded on the NPA side due to the evidence of bloodstains left in the encounter site.
“Fortunately, there was no casualty inflicted by the perpetrators to the troops and bloodstains were seen in the enemy’s position and withdrawal route,” he said.
After the firefight, they recovered 21 empty shells of assorted calibers.
Lachica slammed the recent attack of the terrorist groups, saying that it was a “desperate” move to cause nuisance in the communities amid their ongoing campaign to bring the basic services of the government in the area.
“The incident clearly shows that the terrorists are trying to demoralize the troops and very desperate to incur casualties and disrupt the continuous campaign and efforts of this unit in conducting Community Support Program (CSP) in the area,” Lachica said.
He, meanwhile, said that they expect more attacks from them. However, he assured that the troops are prepared to counter these attacks.
Lachica also instructed its units to focus on target hardening and counter measures to avoid the repeat of the incident.
“We anticipate attacks and we are prepared and ready for them. I already give instruction to my line units to enhance our defenses but it doesn't mean that we will just wait for them to attack us but we will conduct focus military operation and intensify our intelligence monitoring and combat patrols in our area of operation,” he said.
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