NPA men kill 2 gov’t troopers, wound another in attack on Camarines Norte bridge project

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 2): NPA men kill 2 gov’t troopers, wound another in attack on Camarines Norte bridge project

An undetermined number of New People’s Army members killed a soldier and a member of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) and wounded another trooper in an attack at a government bridge project in Barangay Daguit, Labo, Camarines Norte at 11 p.m. Saturday, a report released by the police on Monday morning said.

Killed in action were Private Reymark C. Regore, 49 Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (PA) and CAA Anthony M. Aceron, 22IB CAFGU; while wounded was Private First Class Jhelor P Caranzo, the report coming from Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CNPPO) disclosed.

The report said the CPP-NPA-NDF (CNN) members were armed with high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) when they attacked at the bridge project purposely to destroy the construction equipment due to the alleged failure of the contractors to comply with the extortion demands of the NPA.

Upon knowing of the presence of the rebels in the area, one squad of the PA from Alpha Company led by one Corporal Palangdao immediately responded and defended the project which resulted in a one-hour sporadic firefight.

The CNN rebels withdrew towards different directions, foiling their plan to destroy the construction equipment, the report said.

The headquarters of the 49IB has already alerted all deployed troops, line companies and CAA detachments “for possible CNN enemy attacks”.

Further, different platoons from 49th IB have been dispatched for reinforcement on the harassed area.

The Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines denounced the attack of the NPA rebels on government construction of road, bridge and other flagship projects.

“These attacks deny communities in far-flung areas to market their produce and access to development,” the Solcom said in a statement.

Upon receipt of the information by CNPPO, Police Senior Supt. Harris R. Fama, officer-in-charge, immediately convened a Crisis Management Committee at the Tagapamayapa Hall, Camp Wenceslao Q. Vinzons Sr, Daet, Camarines Norte, alerted all police stations and dispatched Public Safety Forces to support the PA as it requested.

The CNPPO also informed local government unit officials, non-government organizations and other stakeholders through the PNP Camarines Norte Text Blast of the closure of the Sta, Elena-Daet Road due to the harassment activity of the CNN.

Joint investigating teams of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the CNPPO, Labo MPS, EOD personnel and SOCO were dispatched to conduct crime scene investigation.

The recovered pieces of evidence like IEDs have been turned over to the Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for examination.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=822180