Troops pursue rebels after Pantukan clash

From the Sun Star-Davao (Nov 25): Troops pursue rebels after Pantukan clash

THE Army's 10th Infantry Division launched Monday a pursuit operation against suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) they encountered in the village of Tagugpo in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

First Lieutenant Alexandre F. Cabales, civil military officer of the Army's 25th Infantry Battalion, said in a phone interview that government troops clashed with two communist rebels around 7:45 a.m. Monday.

Cabales said the firefight lasted for five minutes, adding the rebels failed in their attempt to disrupt the peace and development efforts in the area as the peace and development troops are regularly conducting security patrol there.

Based on reports, the rebels were members of the Pulang Bagani Command 6.

"Hindi normally nag-pupupunta yang mga yan dito. We believe they are heading to another area, at napadaan lang dito. Ganun pa man mali ang pagtangkaan nila ang buhay ng mga tao dito," Cabales said.

"It can be recalled that this was the same barangay where three armed NPA organizers were arrested by the government forces on January 19 this year.

The three attempted to organize the community as their logistical base and make it as a jumping board for extortion activities," he added.

Cabales also said that after the arrest, the army responded with an intensified Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in partnership with the local government and various stakeholders within the area.

He said the PDOP paved the way for various developmental projects in Barangay Tagugpo.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/11/25/troops-pursue-rebels-after-pantukan-clash-378596