Govt troops thwart NPA extortion attempt

From the Manila Times (Apr 19, 2022): Govt troops thwart NPA extortion attempt (By Francis Earl Cueto)

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday claimed they prevented the extortion activities of the New People's Army (NPA) in Laguna on Sunday, April 17.

Lt. Col. Danilo Escandor said this was after an encounter occurred between the rebels and the government troops.

Escandor added that they were able to thwart the extortion attempt after concerned citizens reported the presence of the armed group on their farms, demanding food and money.

The Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Battalion under the 2nd Infantry Division was immediately dispatched to conduct a security operation to verify the report.

"The report turned out to be positive as the operating troops encountered more or less 15 communist NPA terrorists at Sitio Pinagtablahan, Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna on Sunday morning. The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes then the enemy evaded the government forces. The terrorists belong to Platun 2, Kilusang Larang Gerilya Narciso of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee," Escandor said.

READ: NPA member slain in Surigao del Norte clash

An NPA member was killed and soldiers recovered one M16 rifle and three backpacks at the encounter site.

"The AFP and concerned agencies under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict are addressing the resource generation of the communist terrorist group to prevent them from recruiting new members and stopping their recovery efforts," AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/19/news/regions/govt-troops-thwart-npa-extortion-attempt/1840439