For the second time troops of the 8th Infantry
Division (8ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) foiled the attempt of the New
People’s Army (NPA) to extort money from political candidates in relation to
the forthcoming May 13 elections.
The 34th Infantry Battalion of the 8ID responded to
information coming from civilians about the presence of NPAs waiting for the
payment of money they extorted from political candidates morning of Tuesday at
the vicinity of Lakandula village, Las Navas of Northern
Samar .
The area clearing patrol resulted to an
encounter with around 15 NPAs that also lasted for about 15 minutes.
Thereafter the rebels fled to various directions, according to Capt. Amado
Gutierrez, officer-in-charge of the 8th ID public affairs office.
Additional
troops were immediately deployed in the area to conduct pursuit operation
against the fleeing NPAs.
Earlier, the 8th Infantry Division also foiled
the extortion activities of the NPAs at Brgy. Albalate, Catbalogan City
The 87th Infantry Battalion also engaged in a firefight the undermined number
of NPA insurgents who were on their way to Catbalogan City
Recovered during the
encounter were one M16 rifle, one baby armalite, one fragmentary grenade and a
civilian backpack containing personal belongings.
Col.Rolando Malinao,
Commander of 803rd Infantry Brigade also of the 8ID based in Camp Somoroy ,
Catarman, Northern Samar assured that their
troops are always ready to respond to any information coming from civilians to
prevent extortion attempts of the rebels.
“We have to stop them from harassing
and intimidating the peace-loving people in Northern Samar ,”
he added.
On the other hand, 8ID commander, M/Gen. Gerardo T Layug,
Commander also congratulated the troops for foiling the extortion activities of
the NPAs, against local candidates.
“Let us vigorously do our mandated task
this coming May 13 elections to secure and protect the people, so that they can
exercise their right of suffrage free from intimidation or coercion,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=523896
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