NDF/NPA-ROC-SM: AFP intel operatives, 2 others killed in NPA offensives in Davao Oriental, Bukidnon

NPA Regional Operations Command Southern Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Jul 24): AFP intel operatives, 2 others killed in NPA offensives in Davao Oriental, Bukidnon 

New People’s Army
Regional Operations Command
Southern Mindanao Region

Press Statement
July 24, 2017

With the recent extension of martial law in the entire island, the NPA in Southern Mindanao continues to defend the masses and exercises political authority of the People’s Democratic Government in different areas in the region. Two separate actions by NPA units over the weekend resulted in casualties of two AFP intelligence operatives in Caraga, Davao Oriental and 2 other enemy troops in Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

Sgt. Cerilo M. Galigaw and another intel operative were killed after they resisted arrest and tried to shoot at Red fighters under the Comval-Davao East Coast Sub-Regional Operations Command in Sitio Logdeck, Brgy. Caningag in Caraga town, July 21, at around 12pm. Seized from them were 2 caliber .45 pistols, cellphones, Galigaw’s identification cards and his mission order document.

Sgt. Galigaw’s mission order confirmed his assignment under the Philippine Army’s Military Intelligence Battalion as an agent operating in Region 10, 11, 12 and 13. The other operative did not have any identification with him.

Text messages in Sgt. Galigaw’s cellphone revealed he was on his way to gather tactical information regarding the NPA’s most recent Prisoner of War Alfredo Basabica, Jr., who was arrested in Cateel town last July 11.

An NPA unit was conducting a consultation among the masses who earlier reported that several farmers in their communities were being recruited by the 67IB to provide information on activities of civilians and NPA units’ movement in the area. While the consultation was going on, two men on board a motorcycle advancing toward the consultation venue were spotted by the NPA’s blocking team. In their haste to escape from the NPA team, the two men swerved their motorcycle, lost bearing and toppled to the ground. Sgt. Galigaw was pinned down by the motorcycle while his partner started to run away when Red fighters called out for them several times to surrender. Both soldiers started to draw their pistols, forcing the approaching Red fighters to defend themselves and open fire.

Meanwhile, two troopers belonging to the 2nd Special Forces Company of the 1st SF Battalion were killed while 9 others were severely wounded following a successful demolition operation by an NPA unit under the Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Operations Command against the enemy’s military vehicle in Brgy. Kitubo, Kitaotao in Bukidnon, around 10pm, July 22.

Even before martial law, the AFP’s 2ndSF is notorious for terrorizing civilians in Kitaotao, especially the Lumad families in Brgy. White Culaman who were forced to evacuate in 2015 and were never able to return to their farms and communities.

The railroaded extension of martial law in Mindanao will undoubtedly embolden the AFP’s impunity to commit more serious human rights violations against the masses. Already, Duterte is setting the stage for an all-out attack against revolutionary forces, which, in AFP parlance is every farmer, Lumad and child in the countryside.

On the other hand, it is sure to also intensify the Filipino people’s sentiment against the Duterte regime, particularly the Moro and Lumad people who are bearing the brunt of the state forces’ fascism. Five more months of martial law will spell out intensified armed and legal resistance from the Filipino people.

RIGOBERTO F. SANCHEZ
Spokesperson
Regional Operations Command
NPA-Southern Mindanao

https://www.ndfp.org/afp-intel-operatives-2-others-killed-npa-offensives-davao-oriental-bukidnon/