Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Army pursues Reds who burned quarry equipment in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2020): Army pursues Reds who burned quarry equipment in Bukidnon (By Jigger Jerusalem)



Google map of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

A manhunt operation is ongoing against communist rebels who burned heavy equipment in Valencia City, Bukidnon, the military said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said
the rebels responsible for the torching of quarrying equipment belonged to a unit under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Capt. Anthony Pueblas, chief of 4ID’s Division Public Affairs Office, said the rebel unit is under Fredo Banawan, a native of Barangay Cawayan, Quezon town, Bukidnon, who has been a fugitive from the law for arson, extortion, grave threat, and murder.

Banawan also has a standing arrest warrant for trafficking in persons, Pueblas said.


Following the burning of the heavy equipment on June 19, Pueblas said troops under the Army's 88th Infantry Battalion launched pursuit operations against the culprits.

“The burning of private properties is a clear violation of the rule of law and of the International Humanitarian Law committed by these ruthless NPA terrorists,” he said.

On Monday, Pueblas said government troops clashed with Banawan’s group, resulting in the seizure of various firearms and an M203 grenade launcher.

In a separate clash on the same day in the area, Pueblas said the communist rebels also left behind a laptop, six mobile phones, a C4 landmine, two improvised anti-personnel mines, assorted M14, and M16 rifle magazines, three burners, assorted medical items, personal belongings, and documents with "high tactical value."

Maj. Gen. Andres Centino, the newly-installed 4ID commander, vowed the troops would be "relentless in the pursuit against the communist terrorists who have nothing to offer to the people but endless violence and a vicious cycle of terror.”

“This intensified campaign is aimed to finally put an end to the decades-long problem of communist insurgency. Hence, we call on all well-meaning and responsible citizens to support our campaign against the communist terrorist group so that we will finally end this menace of our society,” Centino said.

Centino has also appealed to victims of extortion to come forward and cooperate with authorities to deter the communist insurgents from attacking civilian targets.

“So long as they pursue their acts of terrorism, know that the Diamond Troopers will pursue with resolve and commitment to our mandate of protecting the people and the communities here in our area of responsibility. We call on everyone to support your government’s efforts of convergence to end this communist insurgency once and for all,” he said.

Centino also warned the remaining NPA rebels that their end is near, adding that their "meaningless cause is dying because their deceptions against the citizens have been uncovered."

He said the government remains open to receive communist rebels who want to surrender and receive the government's socio-economic support and rejoin their families.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106918

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