NPA bandit died, several others wounded in another Bukidnon clash

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 30): NPA bandit died, several others wounded in another Bukidnon clash

A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) bandit died early Sunday morning, 30 July 2017, while in a firefight with government troops in a forest near Sitio Gape, Barangay Bukang Liwayway, Kibawe, Bukidnon.

The battle between the government’s 1st Special Forces Battalion and suspected NPA members happened around 7:30 a.m, which lasted for about 20 minutes.


It resulted to the recovery of four (4) rifle grenades; one (1) landmine or an Improvised Explosive Device; one (1) bolt assembly of an M16 rifle detonating cord; one (1) time-delay fuse; assorted ammunitions; back packs; medical supplies; subversive documents; and other personal belongings.

Troops also uncovered globs of blood along the bandits' escape routes, which indicate that several other NPA members were wounded during the clash.

The 1st Special Forces Battalion, a unit operationally controlled by the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, have been conducting Focused Military Operations in the area, after repeated reports and complaints from local residents about the presence of armed men identifying themselves as NPA members and who are threatening civilians with their extortion activities.

It can be recalled that a soldier was killed while 11 others were wounded when an NPA-perpetrated landmine exploded around 10:30 pm, July 22, 2017, while the government troops are serving the villagers through various community assistance in the neighboring town of Kitaotao, Bukidnon province.

The 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade continuously condemns the NPA's acts of lawlessness in Bukidnon, particularly in sowing seeds of oppression to Indigenous Peoples or “Lumad” through threats, intimidation, extortion, and the continued use of landmines.

Col. Eric C. Vinoya, 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade Commander underscored these matters in his statement: “The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL, to which the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army are signatories, bans the use of landmines.”

“The constant use of landmines by the NPA indicates their lack of sincerity and trustworthiness. Truly, they have degenerated into a bandit and a criminal organization hiding in the cloaks of communist ideologies whose real aim is to generate money from extortion at all costs. With this monstrous aggression against our peace-loving people here in Bukidnon, we will continue to hit the NPA with our focused military operations. Hence, to all those NPA bandits, especially those who were wounded during the encounter, it is not too late for you to have a new life. Go down, come home, and surrender. We will help you live a normal life," Col. Vinoya said. (Capt. Norman M. Tagros, CMO, 403rd Infantry Peacemaker Brigade, 4ID, PA)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501501493379/npa-bandit-died-several-others-wounded-in-another-bukidnon-clash