Troops attack NPA lair

From the Manila Times (Jan 30, 2022): Troops attack NPA lair (By Leander C. Domingo)

A suspected communist lair located at the foot of Mount Cagua in Gonzaga town, Cagayan province was bombarded by the military on Saturday.

A flash report by the 5th Infantry Division based at Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela province revealed that the Philippine Army's 501st Infantry Brigade and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) launched their offensive against members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) at 3 a.m.

Reports from Gonzaga residents said they saw ground troops advancing toward Mount Cagua in Sitio Maging, Barangay Santa Clara and choppers providing air support.

Jet fighters also dropped bombs in the area of the NPA den.

A witness who identified himself as Rod Erick Sola said he was in Barangay Rebecca in Gonzaga when bombs were dropped and occasional gun shots were heard at the foot of Mount Cagua.

"It seems the groups have clashed as choppers cover the advancing troops. Gunfight has started as bombs were dropped anew," Sola was quoted as saying in a Facebook post by Dr. Ferdinand Cortez, Department of Agriculture-Region 2 public relations officer and broadcast unit head.

Cortez said long and heavy machine gun fire could be heard in Barangay Maging in Gonzaga as the firefight between military troops and the communist group escalated by mid-morning.

"Heavy bombardment by the Philippine Air Force air assets flushed the communist group at the foot of Mount Cagua earlier today," he added.

Local authorities in Gonzaga town have advised civilians to stay away from the battle zone.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/01/30/news/regions/troops-attack-npa-lair/1831063