Sunday, June 28, 2020

Gov’t troops clash with NPAs in Bohol

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 28, 2020): Gov’t troops clash with NPAs in Bohol (By Minerva Newman)

Troops from the 47Infantry Battalion engaged a group of an undetermined number of armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a 10-minute gunfight in the hinterland barangay of Bayawahan, Sevilla town near the borders of Bilar, Batuan, Balilihan and Catigbian towns in Bohol province, Saturday evening, June 26.

A report from the army through Civil Military Operations Information Officer First Lieutenant Elma Grace Remonde bared that troops of the 47IB, while conducting security operations, confirmed the presence of NPAs who were said to be extorting from local folk at about 5:45 p.m. in the forested parts of the barangay Bayawahan, Sevilla town in Bohol.

Remonde said that some residents in that barangay found a way to slip out reports to the military’s internal security operations about the presence of armed men forcefully asking for food, while threatening those who refuse to give in to their demands.

At the army clearing operations, the government troops recovered a caliber-.45 pistol, two caliber-.45 magazines, a rifle grenade ammunition, three cell phones, two solar panels, personal belongings, and subversive documents, Remonde revealed.
Troops also discovered a harboring area with two posts and bunkers that can accommodate 20 persons.

The Commanding Officer of 47the IB Lt. Col. Allan Tabudlo expressed his disgust over the terroristic activities of the NPAs in Bohol.

“I’m sorry to learn that despite the current pandemic, the rebels could still threaten our countrymen, forcibly demanding for food despite the current misery of the people,” he said.

According to the military official, it was the third armed encounter in Bohol since the province was declared “Insurgency-Free” in 2010. The encounter proved that the rebels have resorted to extortion, knowing that Boholanos this time are no longer as hospitable to the terrorists.

Remonde bared that there were reports that some residents had to evacuate their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

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