Kalinaw News: 1 NPA member killed, firearms and explosives captured as army in Bicol thwarts NPA’s extortion activities in Sorsogon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 19, 2020): 1 NPA member killed, firearms and explosives captured as army in Bicol thwarts NPA’s extortion activities in Sorsogon

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-Amid the on-going humanitarian missions of the Army in typhoon-stricken areas of Bicol region, it continues to initiate series of successful engagements in Sorsogon province that resulted in the killing of one communist NPA terrorist (CNT) and the capture of five firearms.

The first armed skirmish transpired at around 7:40 in the morning of November 18 after the elements of 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB) conducted a security operation in response to a report made by the residents about the extortion activities of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Barangay San Francisco, Bulusan town.

Fierce gunfight between the government troops and at least 20 CNTs lasted for 45 minutes forcing the enemies to withdraw in haste.

Aside from overrunning the enemy’s hideout with 10 huts and a teach-in facility, troops also captured three anti-personnel mines, 100-meter wire, generator set, printer, stove, LPG tank and terroristic propaganda materials.

This morning, government troops received another report about CNTs’ extortion activities yet again in a nearby barangay.

Elements of 31IB supported by the PNP immediately scoured the vicinity of Barangay San Jose in the same town and encountered at least 20 CNTs.

A 40-minute firefight between the two forces resulted in the killing of one CTG member and seizing of three M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, one ingram, five anti-personnel mines, four commercial radios and one antenna radio.

Lt. Col. Eric Culvera, Battalion Commander of 31IB attributed the success of the operations in the growing support and cooperation from the Sorsoganons.

“Had it not been for residents’ tip-off, we will not be able to foil CTG’s continuous lawless acts which could worsen the situation of the Bicolanos struggling to rebuild their lives brought by the series of calamities,” Lt. Col. Culvera said.

Joint Task Force Bicolandia under MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA expressed its strong condemnation on the CTG’s ruthless act.

“Extorting money from the Bicolanos devastated by three strong typhoons is purely evil. Wala na ngang naitutulong ang teroristang grupong ito sa kasalukuyang pinagdaraanan ng ating mga kababayan, dinaragdagan pa nila ang paghihirap ng mga Bicolanos. But with our decisive anti-insurgency campaign, we will not allow them to continue deceiving the local populace and terrorizing the communities,” MGen. Robinson said.



https://www.kalinawnews.com/1-npa-member-killed-firearms-and-explosives-captured-as-army-in-bicol-thwarts-npas-extortion-activities-in-sorsogon/