AFP-NPA clash in Davao del Norte

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – An undetermined number of communist insurgents were believed either killed or wounded when a fierce gunbattle erupted between government forces and heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Southern Philippines, it was reported yesterday.

In a statement received by Manila Bulletin from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command ( AFP- EastMincom), it was learned that fighting erupted in the nearby border of Northeastern, Northern and Southern Mindanao regions, particularly in the vicinity of Kilometer 30 in Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

It said the gunbattle took place at 11: 30 a. m. Saturday.

Initial report stated that combat maneuvering troops belonging to the Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion ( 68th IB) encountered more than 30 NPAs under guerilla-Front Committee55 of the Communist Party of the Philippines ( CPP) — NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee ( SMRC).

The heavy firefight lasted for about 20 minutes, it said.

No one was hurt among the soldiers.

Troops recovered various subversive documents, bomb- making materials including electrical wires and assorted medical paraphernalia.

Combat maneuvering troops of the 68th IB are now in wide pursuit operations of the NPA’s who left traces of blood in their route of withdrawal, the EastMincom report stated.

Last January 30, Army troops of the 60th Infantry Battalion also clashed with NPA, armed wing of the CPP, and seized an enemy encampment in Baranggay Andap, Laak Compostela valley Province.

The NPA’s encountered by the troops had been monitored to have planned another extortion activity in the area, EastMincom report said.

Maj. Gen. Eduardo M. Año, commanding general of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division ( 10th ID), asserted stepping up law enforcement operations to deter lawless armed elements like the CPP-NPA bandits from conducting terroristic attacks.

“We will not allow these lawless armed elements from sowing fear in the communities,” he said.

For the month of January this year, 10 NPA encampments have been seized under law enforcement operations launched by 10th ID.

At least nine former rebels have already surrendered and more are expected to lay down their firearms and return to the mainstream society under the government’s local integration program, he added.