Army says clearing ops vs NPA ongoing

CAGAYAN DE ORO Government forces are still driving suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members away from four hinterland villages in Opol, Misamis Oriental, a military official said.

Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Joe Patrick Martinez said that clearing operations are ongoing in Barangay Limonda, Cauyonan, Nangcaon, and Tingcalan, where suspected rebels were sighted since last week.

Martinez said the military could not ascertain how long would it take to clear the areas.

"It's a matter of time, we can't say a week or two kasi ang pinakatinitingnan natin is safety ng lahat at ang importante walang collateral damage (because we are really looking into the safety of the people and most importantly, not getting any collateral damage)," Martinez said.

Martinez added that they have to be careful in the operation as they consider the large presence of civilians in the area.

Martinez also clarified that the rebels seen in the four villages could not have been more than 50.

"This is their diversionary tactics kasi for the past days nagkaroon sila ng casualties, maraming nahuli, nakuhanan ng armas at explosives so kailangan nilang i-ease out ang pressure (For the past days, they had casualties, many were arrested, firearms and explosives were confiscated so they have to ease out the pressure)," Martinez said.

Martinez, however, commended the local government for its initiative to evacuate some 500 individuals away from possible danger. SS-CDO