1 NPA killed as troops clash anew with Reds on Campaign sortie in ComVal
Camp Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City - Another New People's Army (NPA)
member was killed this time in the village of Casoon in Monkayo town in
Compostela (ComVal) province in a series of clashes in southern Mindanao
between government troops and armed communists actively campaigning for
some candidates and partylist groups.
Gunbattle erupted about 3:00 PM Monday when a team from the 3rd Special
Forces Battalion intercepted a group of NPAs belonging to Local
Terrorist Front-3 who according to residents were campaigning and
posting election materials of their favored candidates. An M-16 armalite
rifle was also recovered by soldiers following the gunbattle while the
still unidentified slain NPA, authorities said will be brought to the
town proper to be identified by his relatives so that proper burial can
be accorded.
Lt. Col. Ferdinand Napuli commander of the troops who engaged the
terrorists attributed the foiling of an illegal activity of the NPA due
to the "accurate and timely information given by the residents regarding
the presence of terrorists who are meddling with election affairs and
engaging in partisan politics."
Brig. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, commander of the Army's 1003rd Infantry
Brigade said "The NPA terrorists scaled-up their illegal activities like
extortion and campaign sorties for their favored candidates and
partylists and unduly influencing the people in this coming election but
our soldiers will always be there to protect our people from hoodlums
masquerading as freedom fighters."
Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, the 10th Infantry Division head for his part
extends the condolences of the Army to the family of the slain NPA
saying "it is unfortunate and regrettable."
"We are at a loss for a word to describe this unfortunate incident that
another of our misguided brother who has been lured into believing the
lies of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) lost his life. We
condole with his family as we sincerely hope that this senseless
violence brought by the use of arms by the NPA cease for the best
interest of our country and our people." Holganza said.
Last Sunday government troops engaged NPA terrorists in a 20-minute
gunbattle with communists who were on extortion mission and reportedly
campaigning in the village of Coronon in Sta Cruz town in Davao del Sur.
Friday last week, an NPA was also killed when soldiers clashed with
local terrorists that lasted an hour in Sitio Lumabag in the village of
Palma Gil in Talaingod town in Davao del Norte.
Two weeks ago, soldiers clashed with NPAs who were reported to be
planning to meddle in the coming elections in Paquibato District in
Davao City.
First week of April, in Mawab town in ComVal province, soldiers clashed
with NPAs openly campaigning house to house favoring some partylist
groups.
Last March, soldiers in Baganga town in Davao Oriental also clashed with
NPAs reported to be also campaigning for particular partylists.
Consistent reports from residents on the presence of armed men directly
campaigning for some candidates and partylist groups being indorsed by
the Communist Party of the Philippines prompted troops to respond which
resulted to the series of clashes.
Last April 6, a local paper in Davao City reported the case in Mati City
in Davao Oriental regarding NPAs posting campaign materials of two
senatorial bets linked to the left together with a presidential
candidate to the dismay of local residents.
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