Eastern Mindanao Command forces on red alert following clash with NPAs in Compostela Valley

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 12): Eastern Mindanao Command forces on red alert following clash with NPAs in Compostela Valley

The Eastern Mindanao Command said that hot pursuit operations are still ongoing in Maco town, Compostela Valley where a trooper from the 71st Infantry Battalion was killed while four others were injured following an encounter with rebel forces Wednesday morning.

Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said all available units are now engaged at pursuing and bringing to justice these spoilers of the peace.

"We have also placed our forces on red alert footing to forestall possible attempts by the New People's Army (NPA) to attack our troops," he added.

Around 9 a.m., two 71st Infantry Battalion combat groups encountered around 60 NPA fighters, reportedly from Front 27 and "PBC 6" in Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

In the issuing encounter where the rebels detonated a landmine, one trooper was killed while others were wounded.

According to 1st Lt. Ari Ben Hernaez, head of the 71st Infantry Battalion combat group, his men were able to observe the rebels and position themselves well before the firefight erupted.

Hernaez recalls that early in the firefight, one of his men spotted a landmine near their position, which went off while they were rushing for cover, wounding his men and killing one.

“We were also hearing them (the NPA) putting a lot of effort into recovering their own dead," he added.

Hernaez is also one of the four wounded soldiers, grazed by an NPA bullet in his left leg during the course of the encounter said to have lasted for about one hour.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=624871