Suspected rebels ambush PCOS escorts: 2 soldiers killed, 6 hurt

Two soldiers were killed while six others were injured as suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members ambushed government troops escorting precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in Tabuk City, Kalinga, Thursday morning, police and military officials said.

Senior Supt. Froilan Perez, Kalinga provincial police director, identified the slain soldiers as Cpl. Wilfredo Bacacao and Cpl. Allen Pattaguan, both of the Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion.

Injured were Pfc. Delfin Goyagoy, Ssgt. Rico Delacuesta, Sgt. Wayne Aguinaldo, Tsgt. Herminigildo Vergara, Tsgt. Constante Alupani, and Ssgt. Michael Adducul, also members of the 17th IB.

The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., while Commission on Elections (Comelec) representatives carrying PCOS machines were convoying along the Kalinga-Bontoc road in Sitio Patiking, Brgy. Bagumbayan, escorted by policemen and Army troopers.

Perez said the group was heading towards Balbalan town when an undetermined number of armed men fired upon the soldiers, who were at the convoy’s tail.

“Pinalampas muna ‘yung mga taga-Comelec, BEIs (board of election inspectors), saka ‘yung PNP escort, pero pagdating dun sa Army inupakan na sila,” Perez said in a phone interview.

Col. Loreto Magundayao, spokesman of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division, said the soldiers and policemen were able to return fire, but it was not known if the rebels also suffered casualties.

“Ang mahalaga naman dun, ‘yung mga taga-Comelec safe sila at saka ‘yung PCOS machine nai-safe nila kaagad at hindi naman nasira or nakuha,” Magundayao said.

Perez said the local police’s “quick reaction force” is now conducting checkpoints to intercept rebels who may be wounded.

“‘Yun na lang ang magagawa namin sa ngayon kasi karamihan ng tropa namin sa PNP naka-deploy na sa mga polling centers kasi bukas na ‘yung final testing ng PCOS machines. Sa Army, may hot pursuit operations sila ngayon,” Perez said. (John Roson)

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5 soldiers killed in clash after NPA attacks mine site in Negros Occidental

Five soldiers were killed while two were injured in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) members Saturday, hours after the rebels attacked a large-scale mine site in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Friday night, the military said.

Capt. Leo Christopher Cunanan, spokesman of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, declined to name casualties until their families are informed, but said those killed and injured are all enlisted personnel assigned at the 47th Infantry Battalion.

The clash occurred in Sitio Omas, Brgy. Camindangan, around 7:40 a.m. and lasted for about an hour, Cunanan said.

The rebels also managed to take six firearms from the troops, who were sent to pursue an NPA members who attacked the compound of Philex Mining Corp. in the same area, he said.

An undetermined number of rebels entered the mining company’s compound around 9 p.m. Friday, and burned two employees’ barracks, a tractor with drilling machine, generator set, computer, hand held radio, and personal belongings, Cunanan said.

Pursuit operations against the rebels were still continuing Saturday despite the clash that claimed soldiers’ lives, he said.

“The perpetrators shall be identified and will be charged accordingly with appropriate criminal cases in court,” Cunanan added.

Philex Mining is currently trying to revive a copper-gold mine called the “Bulawan Project” in Sipalay City.

The mine was decommissioned in 2002 because of low metal prices prevailing at the time.

Higher gold prices have prompted Philex Mining to re-explore the mine, which is estimated to have 23.9 million tons of mineralized ore. (John Roson)

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Rebels snatch 10 persons in Caraga

Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members abducted seven militiamen, two policemen, and a civilian in separate incidents in the Caraga region on Sunday and Monday, authorities said Tuesday.

Mario Libanda, 39; Tuloy Libanda, 36; Rejoy Francisco, 25; and Rubio Asalan, 23, all members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA), were abducted at a checkpoint manned by about 30 rebels in Brgy. Mahayhay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, around 9 a.m. Monday, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said.

The militiamen were riding a motorcycle to Brgy. Binicalan, San Luis, when they were flagged down at the rebel checkpoint, he said.

The fully-armed men at the roadblock are believed to be members of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee’s Guerrilla Front 88, Cabangbang said.

Militiamen assigned to nearby Army detachments have been directed to track down the rebels while local officials of San Luis have created a crisis management task group to work for the victims’ release, he said.

The abduction occurred only several hours after other NPA members abducted two policemen in Loreto, also in Agusan del Sur, on Sunday night.

PO2 Ronald Alan Muñez and PO1 Nemuel España, both assigned at the Loreto Police Station, were abducted by about six rebels in Brgy. Poblacion around 11:15 p.m. Caraga regional police spokesman Supt. Martin Gamba said.

Muñez and España were conducting surveillance operations against the suspect for a stabbing incident in Sitio Moto, when the rebels seized and brought them towards Sitio Marang, Brgy. Kasapa, Gamba said.

The local government of Loreto has activated a crisis management committee to work for the hostages’ release, he said.

Earlier on Sunday, rebels abducted three more militiamen and a civilian in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.

At least five rebels abducted CAA members Evangeline Cabodbod, Leonardo Sevellejo Sr., Danny Sevellejo, and civilian Vicente Bolgado near Road 4H in Sitio Greenfield, Brgy. Sta. Juana, around 10 a.m., according to a report from the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

The four had just attended mass when they were seized by armed men who are believed to be members of the NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee’s Guerrilla Front 14, the report said.

Capt. Christian Uy, acting spokesman of the 4th ID, confirmed the report, but said the rebels have already freed Bolgado.

The incident occurred less than an hour after five rebel snipers fired at the 23rd Infantry Battalion’s patrol base in Sitio Greenfield.

Lito Dagium, one of the militiamen manning the patrol base that time, suffered a bullet wound to the right side of the body due to the sniping.

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Soldier killed, 6 hurt in rebel landmine attack; troops’ homes raided

One soldier was killed while at least six others were injured when suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members detonated a landmine against a convoy of military trucks in Lupon, Davao Oriental, early Tuesday, the military said.

Private first class Jhasam Diaz of the 28th Infantry Battalion expired while being brought to a hospital, Army 10th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said.

Six other soldiers were wounded and are now being treated at the Tagum Regional Hospital and Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital in Mati City, Paniza said.

The attack occurred around 12:20 a.m., while Diaz and other members of the 28th IB’s “peace and development team” were passing through Sitio Mainit, Brgy. Calapagan, on two military trucks.

The team was heading back to its headquarters when a landmine exploded and hit the rear portion of the second vehicle, Paniza said.

The attacked troops had just finished providing security to other soldiers who are conducting rehabilitation operations in areas affected by typhoon “Pablo,” according to the regional military spokesman.

“The NPA again showed barbarism and inhuman acts by disturbing our humanitarian assistance activities,” Paniza said.

Troops’ homes raided

Meanwhile, suspected NPA members raided homes of active and retired soldiers, as well as a former policeman, in Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental, around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

About 25 fully-armed men “simultaneously ransacked” the houses of Pfc. Benjamin Timbal, of the 58th Infantry Battalion; retired Ssgt. Eliseo Salvacion; and retired PO4 Ananias Requerme in Purok 4, Brgy. Poblacion, Army 4th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Eugenio Osias said.

The rebels also raided the homes of former municipal councilor Benito Salvacion and one Vionica Llagas, Northern Mindanao regional police spokesman Supt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga said.

The raiders took Army camouflage uniforms, a pair of combat boots, a caliber-.45 pistol, four cellular phones, and other personal belongings before fleeing towards hilly part of Brgy. Buko Gamay, he said.

No one was reported injured during the raids.

Members of the 58th IB were sent to pursue the rebels, Osias said. (John Roson)

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Rebels abduct soldier, policeman in Compostela Valley

A band of New People’s Army (NPA) members abducted a soldier and a policeman while conducting a “checkpoint” in Laak, Compostela Valley, on Thursday, a military official said.

Maj. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, head of the Army’s 10th Civil Military Operations Battalion, identified the abducted soldier as Pfc. Jezreel Culango and the policeman, PO1 Ruel Pasion.

The two were abducted by members of the NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee’s Front 34, who conducted a checkpoint in Sitio Mangob, Brgy. Imelda, around 9 a.m., Obligado said in a text message late Thursday night.

Culango, based in Brgy. Sawata, San Isidro, Davao del Norte, was on his way to visit his girlfriend in Brgy. Mangloy when he was seized, Obligado said.

Pasion, assigned at the San Isidro Police Station, also happened to pass by the checkpoint when he was abducted, according to the military official.

The rebels, of whom 12 were seen sporting military attires and 18 in civilian clothes, were last seen heading towards Sitio Tugpahan, Brgy. Imelda, along with their captives, Obligado said.

Police and military personnel are were sent to pursue the rebels.

The abduction came just two days after the government and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ended an “extended” holiday ceasefire.

On Thursday, the CPP also warned of more offensives by the NPA, in response to new Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista’s pronouncement to make insurgency “irrelevant” during his term.

“The New People’s Army continues to grow in number and in terms of firepower… Over the next few years, the NPA and the people’s militias will be able to initiate more frequent and widespread tactical offensives at the front, regional, inter-regional and national levels,” the CPP’s information bureau said in a statement.

“General Bautista cannot stop the momentum of growth of the New People’s Army,” it added.

Bautista, who is credited for the military’s current counter-insurgency plan “Bayanihan,” took over as AFP chief of staff on Thursday. (John Roson)

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Military halts offensive vs. rebels

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has started an 18-day suspension of offensive operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) for the holiday season but remained on the alert for possible attacks by the rebel group.

Gen. Jessie Dellosa, AFP chief of staff, said the suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) started today (Dec. 16) and will last until Jan. 2.

“The objective of this unilateral implementation of yuletide SOMO to the NPA is to demonstrate the AFP’s commitment, sincerity, and resolve for peace in spite of conflicts with the insurgent group,” Dellosa said in a statement.

The ceasefire is also aimed at giving soldiers and villagers in conflict-hit areas the opportunity to celebrate the holidays peacefully, Dellosa said.

Military spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, however, said that the AFP will continue its “proactive defense countermeasures” despite the SOMO.

This is after the military took into consideration the NPA’s “transgressions” in the past, he said.

Last year, the NPA took advantage of the 18-day SOMO and harassed a peace and development team, killing five soldiers, Burgos noted.

Soldiers will continue to conduct security patrols, route security operations, and checkpoints to protect communities, establishments, and military camps and detachments, he said. (John Roson)

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Typhoon-hit rebels can receive aid – Army

Members of the New People’s Army (NPA) victimized by typhoon “Pablo” (international name: Bopha) can receive aid from the government, a military official said Saturday.

Maj. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, head of the Army 10th Infantry Division’s civil-military operations company, said it is possible that some rebels fell victim to devastation because the storm passed through Compostela Valley, a province where the NPA is known to operate.

“Kapag pumila sila (rebels) para kumuha ng relief goods, we will not choose kung member ba sila ng NPA o civilian, we are all Filipinos after all,” Obligado said in a phone interview.

In a statement issued Saturday, the NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command (SMROC) said a number of its fighters suffered when “Pablo” struck the region on Dec. 4.

“As winds raged fiercely striking houses and timbers, NPA members were with the masses trying to survive from the devastation. A number of Red fighters were hurt, few seriously harmed but no fatalities were reported from the field,” the statement read.

“Six hours after the typhoon, NPA members surveyed their immediate vicinities, attended to the grieving revolutionary forces who were widowed or orphaned, helped in the rescue efforts, and shared the unit’s foodstuffs supply to the masses,” it added.

Obligado, however, said that the military has so far not monitored any effect of “Pablo” on the rebels.

“We are quite busy with the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation activities, these three Rs mean that we lay down our guns and pick up shovels,” he said.

The NPA-SMROC, meanwhile, said its forces will suspend offensive operations against government forces not only in typhoon-wrecked Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, but also in Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lingig in Surigao del Sur, as well as Trento, Veruela, Loreto, and Sta. Josefa towns in Agusan del Sur.

“The NPA Southern Mindanao’s ceasefire coverage is extended to other parts of the region not directly hit by the tragedy to enable its NPA units to muster all efforts in addressing the state of acute crisis,” it said. (John Roson)

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Troops ambushed in Leyte: 1 killed, 2 hurt

One soldier was killed and two others were injured in an ambush by New People’s Army (NPA) members in Albuera, Leyte, Friday afternoon, the military said Saturday.

Killed was Pfc. Richard Abines, of Paranas, Samar, Capt. Dranreb Canto, spokesman of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Ormoc City, said.

Two other soldiers, identified as Pfc. Jay Baysa, of Pinabacdao, Samar, and Pfc. Frederic Mar, of Jamindan, Capiz, suffered bullet wounds to the legs and are now being treated at the OSPA hospital in Ormoc, Canto said.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. while Abines and 15 other members of the 78th Infantry Battalion were passing through Sitio Calingatnan, Brgy. San Pedro, on a KM-450 truck.

About 10 rebels fired upon the military vehicle, Canto said.

The troops were on there way back to their headquarters after checking on “issues that were brought to their attention by residents,” he said.

Troops are now pursuing the attackers, Canto said.

The incident occurred barely a year after Leyte was declared as a “manageable conflict-affected” and “development-ready” province on Dec. 8, 2011, Canto said.

Military activities in the province have been focused on development projects since the declaration, he said. (John Roson)

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2 rebels killed in Compostela Valley clash

Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members were killed in a clash with government troops in Montevista, Compostela Valley, early Friday, the military said.

The slain suspects were identified by their parents as Joriben Caipan, 20, and Christopher Mawang, 18, of Brgys. San Jose and Camantangan, Montevista, Lt. Col Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the Army 10th Infantry Division based in Mawab, said.

Aside from the rebels’ bodies, troops recovered an improvised landmine and a caliber-.45 pistol at the scene, Paniza said in a phone interview.

The clash occurred around 3:30 a.m., when a 15-man team from the 66th Infantry Battalion was patrolling in Brgy. Libanon.

At least seven armed men, believed to be members of the NPA Front Committee 33, fired upon the soldiers who, in turn, retaliated, Paniza said.

“Residents informed the our soldiers that armed men were seen roaming in the area,” Paniza said when asked what prompted the patrol.

“Pinapasalamatan natin ‘yung community, dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila, ‘yung landmine na ‘yun ay naitanim before makarating yung tropa. So nailigtas ‘yung buhay ng sundalo natin at buhay mismo ng mga sibilyan mula sa landmine,” he added. (John Roson)

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1 killed, 3 hurt as rebels attack road project in Aurora

A civilian was killed while a policeman and two civilians were wounded when suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members attacked a government road project in Ma. Aurora, Aurora, Friday morning, the military said.

1Lt. Tala Servidad, spokeswoman of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, said an undetermined number of armed men first burned a backhoe and dump truck owned by Palacios Constructions in Sitio Dimani, Brgy. Villa, around 9 a.m.

Police and members of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion responded to the incident but were fired upon, she said, citing initial field reports.

The NPA is reportedly extorting money from Palacios Constructions, which is presently constructing the road that will connect Metro Manila to Aurora, Servidad said.

Damages to the backhoe and dump truck are estimated at P9 million.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., commander of the 7th ID, condemned the attack and ordered pursuit operations against the armed men.

“We condemn this terroristic attack against the construction company. This tragic incident came when peace and development in Central Luzon is on the fast lane,” he said. (John Roson)

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