DWDD: ANTI INSURGENCY | 61IB, NPA clash in Panay

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 14): ANTI INSURGENCY  |  61IB, NPA clash in Panay

CAMP MACARIO PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz (DWDD) – Security forces from 61st Infantry “Hunter” Battalion, 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division recovered two (2) body counts after series of encounters with remnants of CPP-NPA Terrorist in Iloilo on May 5, Saturday.



With the desire to free the local populace from threat and intimidation of the NPA and to help in bringing peace and development in the countryside, 61IB responded on reports of the civilians that the CPP-NPA Terrorist is recruiting minors in the area.

It can be recalled that the 10-minute gun battle resulted to the death of two (2) rebels and was later identified as Elvin Tanatoy and Domingo Servano Jr.; both are residents of Tubungan, Iloilo.
Recovered items from the encounter are as follows: (1) M653 and one (1) AK 47, personal belongings and subversive documents.

A family was also used as human shield of the CPP-NPA terrorists; as a result, a 12-year old girl was hit by a bullet on her buttock. Mother of the victim said on a police blotter that the rebels stayed on their house even without their assent. “It is a clear indication that people in the community are tired of them persistently pestering their way of life thru threats, extortion and violence”, said Brigadier Dinoh Dolina, Commander, 3ID.

61IB continues relentless Focused Military Operations in its area of responsibility in response to the repeated reports of threat and extortion of CNTs from local residents in their communities.

LTC Sisenando Magbalot Jr., Commanding Officer of 61IB said, “We will continue to pressure the enemy in order to secure the people in our area of responsibility”.

Meanwhile in Calinog, another encounter transpired between 61IB troopers and more or less ten (10) CPP-NPA terrorists at Brgy. Caratagan, wherein, three (3) soldiers were slightly wounded due to explosion of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

BGen Dolina said, “It is unfortunate to note that while our troops are implementing peace and development initiatives to help the people, the NPAs continue perpetrating terroristic activities detrimental to our people”.

Dolina further said, “It clearly shows that the CPP-NPA terrorists’ violates the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, to which the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, including the CPP-NPA, are signatories to ban the use of landmines.”

“We call on all peace-loving people to add their voices to condemn this barbaric act of the NPAs especially that the Barangay and SK elections is coming. We are still humbly calling on the ranks of the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle, live a peaceful life and join us in peacefully resolving the armed conflict,” added Dolina. 61IBHunter / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/14/anti-insurgency-61ib-npa-clash-in-panay/