By ALLAN JUANITO
Spokesperson, NPA-North Central Mindanao Regional Command
The New People’s Army – North Central Mindanao Region meets the forthcoming celebration of the NPA’s 44th Anniversary this 29 March with a series of military actions, killing 16 reactionary troops and seizing four firearms.
Afternoon of 13 March – an NPA unit put up a checkpoint in Barangay (village) Bonbon, Butuan City, and disarmed Philippine National Police officials SPO1 Walter Suralta and PO3 Romulo Lagarde. A 9mm pistol was confiscated from the police officers.
The operating unit then ambushed the reinforcements sent by the 58th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, and the PNP Regional Mobile Group. Three soldiers and five policemen of the responding troops were killed. One other policeman was wounded. The operating NPA unit withdrew to safety without a single casualty.
14 March – another NPA unit confiscated a shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle from a henchman of the barangay chairman of Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
15 March, 6:00 am – an NPA unit seized the firearm of National Bureau of Investigation agent Cesar Labitad in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Lunotan, Gingoog City. A .38 caliber revolver and assorted ammunition were confiscated from his ex-CAFGU (Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit) henchman, Toto Torion. Many complaints were raised by the local residents against Torion for indiscriminate firing and gun-toting using Labitad’s gun.
15 March, 3:00 pm – an NPA unit encountered troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Minlangit, Rojales, Carmen, Agusan del Norte. Five soldiers were killed in the heat of the firefight. The next morning, the mercenary troops forced the motorists plying the route to transport decomposing corpses in their motorcycles. There are no casualties on the NPA side, except for 20 military uniforms, an explosive device and eight bags containing personal belongings left behind.
17 March, 8:00 am – an NPA unit harassed operating troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Alicapawan, Manoligao, Carmen, Agusan del Norte. Three were killed among the reactionary troops. The NPA unit suffered no casualties.
This series of military actions of the NPA in North Central Mindanao is our response to the national call to intensify the people’s war and advance to the strategic stalemate stage.
(sgd) ALLAN JUANITO
Spokesperson
North Central Mindanao Regional Command
New People’s Army