Villagers' report foils NPA extortion in Leyte

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 29): Villagers' report foils NPA extortion in Leyte

The fresh clash between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) in Albuera, Leyte is proof that communist rebels are not welcome even in remote communities, the Philippine Army said.

Lt. Jessel Montajes, acting spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division said the “shared cooperation” between soldiers and villagers prevented the NPA from conducting extortion activities.

“The villagers informed the army about the presence of the NPA rebels that continue to engage in acts of violence and hostilities endangering the lives and properties of innocent people,” Montajes said in a press statement released Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday morning, soldiers of the 78th Infantry Battalion clashed against 10 communist terrorists in Talisayan village, Albuera town.

“The troops conducted security patrol and confirmed the residents’ reports about the presence of communist terrorists who were extorting food and money,” the Philippine Army said in its report.

The firefight lasted for 15 minutes, resulting in the recovery of two caliber .45 pistols, four magazines of calibre .45 pistol, one hand grenade, more or less fifty live ammunition, five cellular phones, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and personal belongings.

There are no casualties on the side of government troops while authorities have yet to determine if the rebels suffered any casualty, according to Montajes.

The latest clash happened five days after President Rodrigo Duterte declared the termination of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front--Communist of the Philippines–New People’s Army and all its adjuncts and organizational units through Proclamation No. 360.

The President cancelled the peace talks due to NPA’s continued attacks against government troops and atrocities on civilians despite ongoing peace negotiations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1017371