Rebels trumpets ‘audacious attack’ in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Communist rebel group New People’s Army has taken responsibility for its daring attack on a military post in North Cotabato’s Makilala town that resulted in the seizure of weapons and grenades.

But it said 3 of its fighters were also slain in the recent clash in the village of Luayon. The NPA’S Valentin Palamine Regional Operations Command, which carried out the raid, boasted its “audacious attack” against the 39th Infantry Battalion and its militias.

“The NPA confiscated M14 rifle and M16 rifle, and five rifle grenades, assorted ammunition, vests and military equipment. A portion of the camp was burned down by the Red fighters. The action is a decisive riposte against the Us-duterte regime’s impudent terrorism and perfidious imposition of martial law in Mindanao. The NPA is ever ready to wage war against terrorist suppression in order to protect the rights and welfare of the oppressed and exploited people.”

“The raid also serves as a punitive action against the mercenary 39th Infantry Battalion and its CAFGU minions for their numerous atrocities towards the civilians. The battalion is notorious for the killings of activists and Lumads and the incessant harassment of innocent civilians in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Three Red fighters were martyred at the gun battle,” a rebel spokesman, Dencio Madrigal, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Madrigal identified those killed in the fighting as Raymart Rusiana, Roger Labajo Jr. and a certain Ka Tomas.

“Red salute to the NPA Red fighters who courageously fought and perished in the fighting. We express our utmost revolutionary homage and comradely adulation though saddened by their death, the revolutionary forces and masses they have served were inspired by their determination and sacrifices in pursuing the people’s revolutionary aspirations.”

“This stout triumph of the NPA is an attestation that the reactionary state’s policy to quash the revolutionary movement is bound to fail. It is because amidst the setbacks, glitches, capitulation, and the call for NPA members to surrender in exchange of cash, a genuine revolutionary’s unwavering fervor will continue to thrive and strengthen,” Madrigal said.

Police said one militia, Jolito Apala, was killed in the fighting and 6 others wounded, Joel Daguan, Edgar Delima, Jose Angcog, Oligario Rollurta, Raffy Aguanan at Jimmy Gonzaga, all members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary under the supervision of the 39th Infantry Battalion.

The rebels have been waging a secessionist war for many decades now and there is no indication the communist insurgency would be resolved during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration or until his term ends in 2022.