Military foils threat from New People's Army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 13): Military foils threat from New People's Army

PINUKPUK, Kalinga -- Operatives of the 51st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) encountered a group of New people’s Army (NPA) at sitio Kubog, barangay Limos this municipality early morning of April 7.

1Lt. Sandaree Macaiba, Acting Information Officer of the 501st ‘Valiant’ brigade, in a belated report said a platoon of the 51st DRC under 2Lt. McGyver Ricardel were on their routinary patrol at the vicinity when they encountered about 14 NPAs.

She said the soldiers were on the scene responding to reports that the NPAs were allegedly demanding food from the communities of Balbalan and Pinukpuk. The encounter she said resulted to the wounding of one personnel on the government side while undetermined on the enemy side.

Macaiba in a press release said the NPAs were forcing civilians to help them during the firefight which made the soldiers to disengage in order to avoid hitting innocent civilians.

“This shows how the military exercises maximum restraint to protect the civilian populace, which is the tactic used by the NPA making civilians as human shields with total disregard for their safety,” Macaiba said.

On the other hand, Col. Roger Salvador, Commanding Officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade based here reiterated his call to NPA members willing to return to the folds of the law that the government is welcoming them to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines provided they are qualified.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=171365643390