16 guns, explosive seized Soldier wounded in encounter

From the Mindanao Times (Aug 5): 16 guns, explosive seized Soldier wounded in encounter

A SOLDIER was wounded in a series of gunfights against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Purok 6, Barangay Mayaon, Montevista, Compostela Valley where authorities recovered 16 firearms and an explosive device on Thursday.

The identity of the wounded soldier was not released.

Col. Gilbert Saret, deputy commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, told TIMES that three encounters happened between troopers of the Philippine Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion and combined forces of Guerilla Front 33 and Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 4 of Sub Regional Command (SRC) of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

 

The first gunfight was reported at 6:55 a.m.

Two hours later, another gunfight ensued while government soldiers are chasing the rebels.

The last gunfight was reported at 3:23 p.m.

Upon conducting clearing operation in the first encounter, soldiers were able to recover four M16 rifles, two M1 Garand with 22 clips ammunitions, one M14, one M2 Carbine, one .38 revolver, personal belongings and subversive documents.

 

In the second gunfight, soldiers recovered two M16 rifle, two M14 rifle, two M1 Garand Rifle, one AK47 Rifle, one improvise explosive device (IED), and two backpacks with personal belongings.

The troopers are still conducting operation to go after the fleeing rebels.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/16-guns-explosive-seized-soldier-wounded-in-encounter/

Photo: Return to Marawi

Posted to MindaNews (Aug 4): Photo: Return to Marawi



President Rodrigo Duterte returned to Marawi City on Friday, 04 August 2017, exactly 15 days since his first visit. Friday’s visit was at the Tactical Command Post of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Trident in Barangay Kilala, Marawi City. The President brought along groceries and watches for the troops and urged them to remain steadfast as government is “winning the war” against the Maute Group and its allies. Albert Alcain / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOS

http://www.mindanews.com/photo-of-the-day/2017/08/return-to-marawi/

Caraga cops wounded in clash honored

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4):  Caraga cops wounded in clash honored

Three police personnel who were wounded in action in an anti-insurgency operations against communist rebels received distinguished medal awards and cash assistance.

Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix, Caraga Regional Police Office chief, personally handed over Thursday (August 3) the “Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting” award to re Police Officer 1 Ricky Arcite, Police Officers 1 Danilo Valenzuela and Diomar Guiral at a local hospital where both are recuperating.

Valenzuela and Guiral, who are assigned to 13th Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), also received cash assistance amounting to P50,000 each. They will also receive a separate cash assistance from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, said Supt. Martin M. Gamba, PRO-Caraga spokesperson.

Valenzuela and Guiral sustained gunshot wounds during an encounter with an undetermined number of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in an upland village in Nasipit town, Agusan del Norte, Tuesday morning (August 1).

Supt. Gamba said the rebels were believed to be conducting "extortion" activities in the area when the encounter occurred.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004811

Army slams 'fake news' on Pangasinan encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4): Army slams 'fake news' on Pangasinan encounter

The Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) deplored on Friday the proliferation of "fake news" in connection with the recent encounter between its troops and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.

1Lt. Catherine Hapin, chief of the 7ID Kaugnay public information office (PIO), said that "malicious information and fake news circulated though text messages and social media” have caused alarm to some residents.

Hapin was referring to reports that the rebels have managed to abduct some local chief executives after an encounter between the elements of the Army’s 3rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 1 (RPSB1) and undetermined number of NPA rebels in the area of San Nicolas Pangasinan, in Camps 3 and 4, and along the boundaries of Sta. Maria and Barangay Malico, all of San Nicolas.

A soldier was killed in action while scores of rebels were believed to have died in the firefight as the 84th Infantry Battalion immediately extended reinforcement and conducted pursuit operations. All six district police stations of Pangasinan were placed under full alert status due to the ongoing operations.

Hapin said reports on the abduction of mayors of certain municipalities in Pangasinan “are false and purely hearsay”.

"The situation has been contained and no enemy harassment has taken place in any of the barangays and towns of the province,” Hapin said.

She noted that the Office of the Municipal Mayor of San Nicolas has issued an official statement regarding this matter, with a call to counter violent extremism and strongly condemning the spreading of fake news that causes horrendous trauma not only to the people in the municipality, but also to their loved ones in far places.

Major General Angelito M. De Leon, Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, was “determined to see an end to the deplorable acts of the enemy and has ordered an intensified operations of troops to ensure that the enemy will never threaten the peace in Pangasinan,” she said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004733

Media role in war vs insurgency lauded

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4): Media role in war vs insurgency lauded

Army Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Quidilla, South Luzon Command (Solcom) chief, has lauded the role of media in disseminating the various achievements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines especially in the fight to end the four-decade long insurgency in the country.

The Solcom commander, in his keynote address at the two-day South Luzon Media Summit held here on Thursday evening, said he recognized the importance of media in accomplishing the goals and mission of the AFP in bringing peace and preventing lawless elements from sowing terror in the countryside.

The two-day summit sponsored by the 2nd Infantry Division Press Corps and the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) was attended by hundreds of media practitioners from South Luzon at the Villa Ceceres Hotel in this city.

Quidilla, his speech said, “we were able to meet our goals and can stand tall among our peers and present with pride what we have accomplish thru the help of media”.

"My negative orientation about media has indeed changed from adversarial stance to a friendly and harmonious relationship with the media," he said.

“The media, in its very significant role in conveying the gains that the armed forces has done, is a prerequisite of a strong democracy,” Quidilla added.

The Solcom chief said the AFP needs to connect to people and that they need the media in disseminating correct, honest and fair news.

Also, he said, “We need the media to convince our policy-makers that, if we are really serious in helping end the communist insurgency in the Philippines countryside, the longest insurgency in the world, they must consider the existing conflict-prone places in formulating their development plans and activities”.

The media summit aims to discuss issues such as "fake news" and to reorient 150 participants on the responsibilities of media news objectivity and integrity in gathering and developing the news.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004675

President Duterte visits troops in Marawi main battle area

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): President Duterte visits troops in Marawi main battle area

President Rodrigo Duterte has distributed G-shock military watches and other goods as well as inspired the troops in the front line in Marawi City, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) announced Saturday.
Duterte arrived 30 minutes past 4:00 p.m. Friday and “entered the main battle area and visited the soldiers and policemen fighting in Marawi City” amid a heavy downpour.

“Even the heavy rain could not stop the Commander-in-Chief in visiting his troops in the front line yesterday (Friday, August 4),” the Westmincom said.

His visit came days after the troops successfully gained control of strategic structures previously occupied by the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

He was welcomed by Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief; Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Joint Task Force Marawi commander; Maj. Gen. Danilo Pamonag, Special Operations Command chief; Brig. Gen. Ramiro Rey, Joint Task Force Ranao commander; and other ground commanders.

In his message to the troops, President Duterte said he wanted them to stay alive and “practice caution until the end of the war.”

“Malapit na itong matapos, konting tiis nalang. Just make sure na buhay kayo pag natapos itong gyera na ito,” the President told around 300 soldiers and policemen who excitedly listened to him.

President met with ground commanders who are in the main battle area, “to show them that he is, all the way, with them in this fight.”

The President also pledged to put up a PhP50-billion trust fund for the soldier's and policemen's dependents.

He added that scholarship grants will also be accorded to the children of uniformed men.

The soldiers were all in smiles after meeting and personally seeing their Commander-in-Chief, who left the front line an hour later.

Drenched in the rain, President Duterte spent about 20 minutes taking “selfies and groupies with the troops before he left the vicinity.”

He was accompanied by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr; Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana; AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Eduardo Año; Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda; Navy Flag Officer in Command, Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado; and Air Force Chief, Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004828

Troops arrest Abu Sayyaf bandit in Zamboanga

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): Troops arrest Abu Sayyaf bandit in Zamboanga



Combined police and military operatives have arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit in a law enforcement operation in this city, a police official announced Saturday.

Chief Insp. Elmer Solon, Police Station 4 chief, identified the arrested suspect as Hamad Ajijul Susulan alias "Hajer Sailani" and "Ahmad."

Solon said Susulan was arrested around 3:10 p.m. Friday in a law enforcement operation along the highway in Barangay Mercedes, this city.

He said the suspect has standing warrant of arrest for the crime of eight counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom issued by the court in Basilan province.

He said the suspect was involved in the kidnapping of workers on June 11, 2001 at the Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits seized eight plantation workers when they raided the plantation.

The bandits beheaded some of the workers while others were either rescued by government forces or managed to escape during the firefight.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004872

Gov't socio-economic intervention needed to win war vs insurgency — Solcom chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): Gov't socio-economic intervention needed to win war vs insurgency — Solcom chief

Army Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Quidilla, Southern Luzon commanding general, on Friday urged national as well as local government officials and policy makers to look into the needs of impoverished people living in insurgency-prone areas across the country.

Quidilla said “Communism is alive” and furthered that the communist insurgency would continue if national and local government authorities would fail to formulate policies and deliver the needed services to various "conflict-prone areas."

He said, "I call on national and local government policy makers that if we are really serious in helping end the communist insurgency in the countryside, they must consider the existing conflict prone place in formulating their plans and delivering their services and activities."

At the start of the two-day summit on Thursday, Quidilla said conflict-prone areas called Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), are places where insurgency thrives because of poverty, ignorance and lack of government services and other socioeconomic issues are being exploited by the communist insurgents to agitate the villagers especially those living in far-flung areas.
The military official, who announced his retirement this month, said, “I shall soon leave the service, what I would like to point out is that these conflict prone areas in the Southern Luzon areas were the same places that we know when I was still a lieutenant.”

GIDAs or conflict-prone areas under SolCom that still need government attention are: Quezon province -- Gumaca, Lopez, Gen. Luna and Catanauan and Tagkawayan; Batangas -- Nasugbo, Lian, Calaca, Lemery, Taysan, San Juan, Gen. Nakar and Majayjay; Rizal -- Paluan, Abra de Ilog, Bongabong, Rizal, San Jose and Mansalay; Bicol -- Lagonoy, Garchitorina, Pasacao, Libmanan, Lupi in Camarines Sur; Gigmoto, Baras, San Andres in Catanduanes; Guinobatan, Jovellar, Pioduran, Libon, Oas, Daraga; Camarines Norte: Labo; Sorsogon: Barcelona, Gubat, Irosin, Juban and Magallanes; Masbate San Jacinto, Monreal, Mobo, Placer, Esperanza.

Quidilla, while presenting the grim situation on the war against insurgency, also laid down the Solcom achievement during his one-year term of office including: reducing the NPA strength by 106 rebels, of whom 30 were killed during encounters with military troops; 22 suspected NPA rebels captured and 54 alleged NPA rebels surrendered; Dismantling of NPA camps in 58 villages in Southern Luzon area; and recovery of 54 high powered firearms.

He noted that following intense combat operation, the AFP declared the provinces of Quezon and Oriental Mindoro as conflict manageable areas and are ready for further socio-economic development.

Quidilla, however, said that during various engagement with the communist rebels, the command lost 10 soldiers, 37 personnel were wounded in action and three high powered firearms were lost.

The Solcom chief said “in spite of our operational success, the enemy (NPAs) are still there, communism is still alive”.

“We can say that the actual damage of this enemy action is minimal but the impact of this seen in a bigger perspective, is profound,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004881

Defense dept welcomes private, civil sector aid for Marawi rehab

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): Defense dept welcomes private, civil sector aid for Marawi rehab



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that while the government will do everything to expedite the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, they are grateful for whatever assistance the private sector and civil society organizations could extend in this endeavor.

In his message read to various stakeholders who gathered during Friday's "Bangon Marawi" forum at the Conrad Grand Hotel in Pasay City, Lorenzana urged "our partners to reach out to government through Task Force 'Bangon Marawi’ so that our efforts can be properly coordinated and managed and our assistance to communities will be properly delivered".

"I would like to assure our countrymen from Marawi City and other affected communities that their needs are being addressed with utmost consideration of their faith and culture. We will do our best to speed things up," he said in the message that was read by Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator for administration, Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima.

"We are one nation and we stand together during the bad time(s), and more so, during the trying times that test our resolve as a nation. No one will be left behind as we embark on this great endeavor to revive and rekindle affected communities and enable them to rejoin in the progressive advance of our beloved country, the Philippines."

Consultations with the local government and Muslim community leaders are ongoing to ensure that rehabilitation efforts are aimed at inclusivity, ensure the adequacy, suitability and acceptability of the rehabilitation plans and the support systems, he said.

"Various committees under Task Force 'Bangon Marawi’ are already working hard to attend to the complex requirements of post-conflict rehab and recovery. Transition shelters are being considered now along with the support infrastructure, like schools and markets, to facilitate the eventual return to normalcy of the way of life of our beloved Maranaws," the defense chief said.

Earlier, Lorenzana said the rehabilitation of Marawi City is aimed at repairing and ensuring that all infrastructure, bridges, streets, and other facilities are cleared and put in running order as quickly as possible.

Evacuees whose houses were not damaged in the fighting will be quickly returned to their homes as soon as possible, he added.

"Then, we will (open) stores and deploy Department of Trade and Industry’s rolling stores to ensure that returning evacuees will have sources of supplies and their other daily needs," Lorenzana said.

There are also plans to build temporary homes for residents whose homes were damaged by the fighting which began last May 23 when government forces attempted to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.

"As soon as the last shot is fired, the rehabilitation phase will start immediately. All available engineering equipment are there, including (those of) the Department of Public Works and Highways," the defense chief noted.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004830

Maute fighters slacken resistance

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): Maute fighters slacken resistance

Remnants of the Maute terrorist group, now pocketed in two villages in Marawi City, have slackened resistance, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Saturday.

Padilla based the assessment on reports from ground commanders who claimed that volume of return fire from the terrorists have considerably slackened compared to the first days of the campaign.

"They are still fighting back but their return fire is much lower compared to the early days of the campaign," Padilla said in Filipino.

This is indicative that the lawless elements are running low on ammunition and other supplies.

In the same vein, ground commanders placed the number of remaining Maute Group terrorists to around "40 to 60".

Death toll in the Marawi armed conflict reached 522 terrorists, 119 government troops and 45 civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004893

ASEAN foreign ministers endorse COC framework on South China Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): ASEAN foreign ministers endorse COC framework on South China Sea

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday formally endorsed the framework of the code of conduct (COC) to address disputes in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea for eventual adoption by the regional grouping and China.

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) acting Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the framework COC is expected to be adopted at the ASEAN China Ministerial Meeting slated here on Aug. 6.

“So far as far as I know the consensus in Asean is at the very least the code of conduct that is to be negotiated still, that the negotiations that will happen in the next few months or years should produce a substantive and effective code of conduct,” he said in a press briefing.

Bolivar stressed the Philippines preferred a “legally binding” and effective code of conduct which all parties would observe and adhere to.

He said the COC framework was a major step towards the realization of an effective code.

“That is more strategic goal of the ASEAN,” he added.

Foreign ministers from 27 countries gather here for the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings from Aug. 2 to 8.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004908

PH plan to hunt oil in WPS dependent on compliance with Constitution

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5): PH plan to hunt oil in WPS dependent on compliance with Constitution

The Philippine government said the plan to conduct joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea would really depend if the endeavor is worth pursuing, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

With this, DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar reiterated the statement of DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano that whatever endeavor the country would enter into with ASEAN member nations would be amenable to the laws of the land.

"I believe the secretary also mentioned in his press conference on Saturday... what we are trying to do is exploring if there’s anything to explore and that was the secretary’s way of saying we’ll see if there is something worth pursuing," he said in a press briefing for the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

The DFA official added, "He mentioned something about first commercial viability fund. More importantly, he mentioned that any endeavor that the Philippines whether in a corporate setting, entered into should be compliant with the Philippine Constitution and its local laws."

Bolivar was asked if Cayetano was able to discuss with the ASEAN officials about joint development with all countries in the region. He said that many things had been discussed during the retreat but the time was very limited.

"That is the most important thing that Secretary Cayetano mentioned and also we have to understand that the ASEAN meeting, we have very limited time for working that discussion usually there are a lot of issues to cover...we discussed China Sea, terrorism, climate change and all in a span of only two and a half hours," he said.

"So we’ll have to wait and see…we really don’t know what went on inside the retreat until we see the joint agreement…"Bolivar added.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte said that a partner had been found that will help develop oil fields and exploration and exploitation which is set to restart this year. But, he did not name the possible partner.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004903

Photo: PROP WAR

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Aug 4): Photo: PROP WAR

PROP WAR. Jay Apiag, Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region, holds a photo of propaganda posters declaring Karapatan, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, and Anakpawis as supporters of the New People’s Army. Apiag called this acts of red-baiting, which results to real harm for activists in a press conference on Friday, July 4 in Davao City. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

 

http://davaotoday.com/main/slider/prop-war/

Militants hit Army’s ‘red-baiting’ activities

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Aug 4): Militants hit Army’s ‘red-baiting’ activities

ACTIVISTS. (Left to Right) Kilusang Mayo Uno Southern Mindanao Region Secretary General Carlo Olalo, Tony Salube, spokesperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Southern Mindanao Region, and May Ann Sapar of Gabriela, Southern Mindanao Region call for the lifting of Martial Law, and the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front in a press conference on Friday, July 4 in Davao City. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

 

Progressive groups here condemned the surge of different forms of red-baiting, which have become more ​conspicuous after President Rodrigo Duterte recently terminated the peace talks, and declared an all-out war against the New People’s Army.

 

Jay Apiag, secretary general of Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region
​pointed at the proliferation of posters ​that linked their group, as well as ​those of ​partylists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, and Gabriela of being supporters of the communists.

Apiag said these accusations were ​not new, but ​warned that they endanger ​the lives of ​activists ​”​who become targets of extrajudicial killings, abductions, and trumped up charges​”​.

He said the accusations also “desensitize” the public, because such propaganda, in the eyes of the public, would justify the deaths and arrests of activists.

Apiag said no one else, but the military is responsible for the vilification of activists.

Gabriela Southern Mindanao Region Secretary General May Ann Sapar said the ​Army is targeting civilians ”​because it cannot crush their real enemies​.”

 

“Ginasayang nila ang pondo nga gibutang sa gobyerno para sa ilang pagpaniktik, sa ilang intelligence, kay wala silay klarong data nga nakuha para maundang ang terorismo diri sa atong nasud Pilipinas (They are wasting their intelligence fund for their surveillance activities because they have not gathered data that would put a stop to terrorism in the Philippines),” she added.

Farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas also condemned the recently extended Martial Law in Mindanao.

KMP Southern Mindanao Region Secretary General Tony Salubre said farmers have been victims of human rights violations even before Martial Law came into effect.

The declaration, Salubre said, only worsened the situation because it was now legal to detain suspected NPA members even without arrest warrants.

Instead of funding an all-out war campaign against the NPA, Salubre said President Rodrigo Duterte should resume the peace talks to ensure the passage of reforms, such as agrarian reform and national industrialization.

“Hangtod dili mapatuman ang tinuod nga repormang agraryo, bisan pag unang klaseng all out war ang buhaton, pila na ka admin ang nanglabay, kada admin nanglabay, naay all out war, pero ang mga nagbarog alang sa tinuod nga repormang agraryo, hangtod karon nagabarog (It doesn’t matter what kind of war this administration will wage. So many past administrations have waged all out wars. Those who fight for agrarian reform will remain standing no matter what),” he added.

Meanwhile, army spokesperson Capt. Ryan Batchar denied accusations that they were behind the posters, but maintained that the connection of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the accused groups were “common knowledge.”

 

“It is a fact and known to people that they are [National Democratic Front Southern Mindanao Region] organization/s. They are legal fronts of the communist party,” Batchar told Davao Today in a text message.

“We do not or did not red tag them. Those posters are not from the military. It might have been placed by concerned citizens,” he said.

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/militants-hit-armys-red-baiting-activities/

NPA killed, soldier wounded in series of clashes in Davao region

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Aug 4): NPA killed, soldier wounded in series of clashes in Davao region



The Armed Forces of the Philippines said a member of the New People’s Army was killed and one soldier was wounded in series of armed confrontations that took place on Thursday morning, August 3, in the provinces of Davao Occidental and Compostela Valley.

In a statement on Friday, Captain Rhyan Batchar, chief of the information office of 10th Infantry (Agila) Division said several high-powered firearms were also recovered by government troopers at the encounter sites.

He said that elements of 73rd Infantry Battalion encountered an undetermined number of NPA rebels in Sitio Malbag, BarangayLittle Baguio, Malita, Davao Occidental at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday.

A dead NPA member who is still unidentified as of press time and an M-16 Armalite rifle were recovered by the government troopers in the encounter site, Batchar said.

“The troopers responded to reports of civilians on the presence of NPA rebels in the area that resulted in said encounter,” he added.

On the same date, series of armed confrontations also took place in the town of Montevista in Compostela Valley province, Batchar reported.

Elements of 25th Infantry Battalion, while conducting security patrol, chanced upon around 20 NPA rebels belonging to Guerilla Front 33 and Pulang Bagani 4 in Purok 4, Barangay Mayaon, Montevista.

A 15-minute encounter immediately ensued that resulted in the wounding of one government trooper, Batchar said.

The name of the wounded soldier was temporarily withheld pending notification of his family.

Government troopers recovered four M16 Armalite rifles, one M14 rifle, two M1 Garand rifles, one M2 carbine rifle, one .38 revolver, backpacks containing personal belongings and several subversive documents at the encounter site, he said.

By the afternoon of the same date, another encounter broke out during the pursuit operations conducted by 25th IB troopers.

Batchar said the 10-minute firefight resulted in the recovery of two M16 Armalite rifle, two M14 rifles, two M1 Garand rifle, one AK-47 rifle, an improvised explosive device and personal belongings.

Meanwhile, in the same statement sent to the media on Friday, Brig. Gen. Macairog Alberto, commander of 1001stInfantry Brigade lauded the government troopers.

“As long as NPA rebels continue to terrorize the people of Compostela Valley, the military will not hesitate to use legitimate force to drive them away from the community and its people,” Alberto said.

Major General Noel Clement, commander of 10th ID appreciated the support of the people to the government soldiers.

“While we address the armed threats, we shall also intensify our support to the local government units by establishing communities that are conflict-resilient through our Community Support Program,” Clement said.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/npa-killed-soldier-wounded-in-series-of-clashes-in-davao-region/