Army thwarts NPA violence, one soldier injured in south

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 18): Army thwarts NPA violence, one soldier injured in south

The military reported yesterday having thwarted in two encounters in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City, Saturday, plans of the New People’s Army, who have reportedly been regrouping and consolidating their forces from central and southern Negros.

Cpl. Jovel Seneres, a member of the 47th Infantry Battalion, was slightly injured in the right leg, while he and his companions were pursuing the fleeing rebels, estimated at about 25, whom they initially encountered in Sitio Pating, Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City.

A .45 caliber pistol with a live ammunition and a backpack containing subversive documents and personal belongings were recovered at the encounter site.

The encounter took place as the NPA, as ordered by the Communist Party of the Philippines central committee, observed the 10-day ceasefire in the Visayas, that started Nov. 1 and will end Nov. 24, after the devastation by super typhoon Yolanda.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said they are strengthening and intensify military operations against the NPA, despite the rebel declaration of unilateral ceasefire.

Aying said the NPA continues to engage in ideological, political and organizational mass work, even if they are observing a ceasefire. “I think we have to define what is really a ceasefire,” he added.

“You cannot stop from mitigating or controlling the disaster that the CPP-NPA has been doing for four decades, especially now that there is a breakdown in peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front,” Aying also said.

That means we have to strengthen and intensify our military operations against them.
Although the encounter happened in an area not affected by the super typhoon, Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, 3rd Infantry Division, said in a statement he issued that the Army remains vigilant in protecting the civilian populace from lawless armed elements.

“We are not putting our guards down in protecting the communities from the atrocious plans and activities of the CPP-NPA even if we are occupied with our efforts to support the humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations in the most affected areas, especially in Panay and the Northern part of Negros Occidental,” Baladad said.

Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, 47IB commander, said the gunbattle lasted for about 10 minutes and the rebels splintered into small groups. However, he said, their pursuit operations are still ongoing.

Reyes said they received reports that rebels in Candoni and Sipalay, as well as those in central Negros, have been consolidating their forces in the area for two weeks now.

Claiming that the rebels were up to something, Reyes said they were able to preempt plans of the NPA to conduct atrocities in Kabankalan and neighboring areas because of the encounter.

He also said Seneres is now in stable condition.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/November/18/topstory5.htm