Army vs NPA in Bukidnon fight

GOVERNMENT soldiers have engaged the communist rebels in a five-minute gun battle in an uninhabited place in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Thursday.

Troops under the army’s 8th Infantry Battalion were figured in a renewed clash while conducting combat patrol due to reported sightings of the New Peoples Army (NPA) fighters in Barangay Guilang-Guilang, Manolo Fortich town.

The military said civilians were threatened and forced by the NPA to vote for the candidates and even party-lists that support their “terrorism”.

Members of the 8IB fought around 40 communist insurgents led by a certain Lino Namatidong who are believed to be members of Sub-Regional Command 1 under North Central Mindanao Regional Command.

The troops recovered five Kg Anti-Personnel mine after the five-minute firefight.

No casualties were reported on the government side.

“I am thankful to the community who reported the presence of the NPA that led to the quick response of your Philippine Army. You have the right to choose your right candidate for this incoming election and the NPA terrorists have no right to dictate on you,”8IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said.

“I’m encouraging again the public no to hesitate in reporting any presence of NPA in our community,”he added.

403rd Brigade commander Colonel Edgardo De Leon said the NPA has continued to disregard the International Humanitarian Law.

“CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) are always violating the Ottawa Treaty by using AntiPersonnel mines. If it was not recovered by our Army warriors, it may victimize the civilian populace who are unaware of the mines,” De Leon said.

“They continued to disregard the IHL they signed thru the NDFP and it’s a clear manifestation of their evolution into a terrorist organization because their only goal is to terrorize the community to submit their will to the NPA. We will not allow that to happen,” he added. (Alwen Saliring)