Troops overran NPA camp as army, bandits clash anew in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 21): Troops overran NPA camp as army, bandits clash anew in Bukidnon

Soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army overran a NPA camp after a clash with more or less 30 suspected New People’s Army bandits coming from Sangay sa Partidong Pampropaganda (SPP) TOTO, Guerilla Front 4B of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, April 15, 2016, around 4:30 p.m., in a forested area near Sitio Kalampigan, Brgy. Kalabugao, Impasugong town, Bukidnon.

Lt Col Lennon G. Babilonia, commanding officer of the 8IB said the fierce firefight lasted for about one hour and twenty minutes, which caused the bandits to withdraw and scamper to different directions bringing along their wounded comrades as evidenced by bloodstain found by troops in their withdrawal route. Troops were also able to recover one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), live ammunitions of AK-47 and M16 rifles, five back packs and subversive documents.

The 8IB has intensified its security operations to rescue its Philippine National Police (PNP) counterparts after NPA bandits kidnapped Senior Police Officer 1 Warren Coñales and Police Officer 3 Edwin Castor when the armed group blocked a portion of Sayre Highway in Brgy. Capitan Bayong of Impasugong town and flagged down commuters last April 3, 2016, around 5:30 a.m.

Responding to a report from the Lumad community in Sitio Kalampigan, troops of the 8IB proceeded to the area where the locals saw the armed group who allegedly had with them two persons who were hog tied. The rebels, however, fired upon the troops, as they approached the area that caused the firefight.

Meanwhile, no soldiers were hurt during the clash while it is believed that the NPA had several casualties as reported by the Lumads residing in nearby communities.In his statement, LtCol Babilonia condemned the NPA leaders for depriving their wounded comrades for proper medical care.

"Our friends in the nearby Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities tell us that the NPA suffered several casualties during the firefight. My fellow tribal elders even informed me that at least three NPA members died from their wounds. This is just so unfortunate for our brothers who were deceived to join the armed struggle only to realize its futility and injustice as they were denied their rights to have proper medical care. The NPA leaders could have just allowed our soldiers to help their wounded comrades and not deny them of their rights. We condemn such acts for this is banditry at its best. The right thing for the NPA leaders to do now is to inform the poor families of these casualties and turn over their cadavers, but unfortunately, they don't practice such humane acts and they will just leave their dead comrades half buried somewhere in the dense jungle just to fuel their propaganda and lies," said Lt. Col. Babilonia, who was ordained and adopted by the Higaonon as one of their elders.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501461219672/troops-overran-npa-camp-as-army-bandits-clash-anew-in-bukidnon