NPA attacks CAFGU unit
MEMBERS of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Pinukpuk, Kalinga were ambushed by still undetermined number of alleged New People’s Army Thursday morning.
Although the firefight lasted for less than a minute, no casualties were reported from either side according to 1st Lieutenant John Rey Caumban, civil military operations officer of the 501st Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division Philippine Army.
"CAFGU operatives were conducting a patrol when they were fired upon,” said Caumban.
Caumban added the NPA’s positioned themselves 300 meters north-
west from the patrolling CAFGUs in Barangay Allaguia.
After the exchange of fire, the government forces withdrew towards the southern direction of the barangay and returned to their base in Gamu, Isabela.
"We consider this incident instituted by the NPA's to be a form of harassment on our government troops which will not deter us from our mandate of ensuring peace for our citizens particularly in the far flung areas of our region," Caumban added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is still conducting a follow up investigation on the said harassment by the NPA's New PRO-COR assumes
Newly installed Police Regional Office - Cordillera regional director Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza stressed his call to the members of the regional police organization regarding armed elements wanting to disrupt the daily lives of the people in the region.
"With the present trust of the Chief PNP and my classmate General Sarona, we do not want any of our police stations to be overrun by armed elements, aside from atrocities they may commit which might affect the normal of the people of the Cordilleras," Carranza said.
The new regional director assured the strengthening of the present defense structure instituted in the region which will focus on the reinforcement of personnel and firepower. Foundation day preparation
The firefight happened weeks before the province celebrates its 2nd Bodong Festival and 23rd Kalinga Foundation Day with the theme “Celebrating our strength in the Pursuit of good governance,” festivities are set on February 5 to 18th.
The festivities kick off next month with a host of activities for the province including a street dancing exhibition set on February 13 featuring secondary and elementary schools competing in a showdown of culture and talent.
On February 14th, a grand civic parade is scheduled with the elementary schools drum and lyre competition, capped by a concert at the capitol grounds.
A bike fest is also set on February 10 followed by the local farmers, cooperatives and business sector float parade and the opening of the agro industrial trade fair and tourism information center.
Previously called the Ullalim Festival, the event was changed to Bodong Festival by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 2016-029 to rekindle among the people of Kalinga the time-honored custom and tradition of peacemaking through the Bodong.
Kalinga locals still adhere to the tribal justice system called the Bodong.
Bodong refers to the peace pact or peace council used in the province, these are peace rites and a recognized judicial system wherein the pagta (peace pact holder) appointed by the pangat (tribal leaders) of a certain tribe holds a peace agreement with another tribe.
In this system, two tribes agree to ally with each other. The bodong is usually worked out in large gatherings between two villages that belong to the same geographic area and shares kinship ties.
Various fines for crimes against person or property is used to appease affected families, if the boding is severed, elders converge to talk about the action to be taken, and the worst case scenario is a tribal war. With a report from Maria Elena Catajan