Statement | March 6, 2017
The attacks launched by the 36th IB, 3rd SFB and 26th IB PA against the NPA-Front 19 and Front 8 in different areas in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur failed.
Last March 4, 2017, at 1:20 in the afternoon, a team of the NPA-Front 19 harassed 3rd SFB PA troops who were about to attack in the mountain area of Barangay Los Arcos, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Two were killed and three were wounded from the enemy, and among those seriously wounded was their guide CAFGU member Lito Alcober. The 3rd SFB forces withdrew with their casualties to Purok 9, Los Arcos where they were met by a vehicle of the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office).
On March 5, at 12:00 in the afternoon, a team from NPA-Front 19 again harassed the 36th IBPA forces who attacked the mountain area of Mahaba, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. There was no reported casualty from the enemy. While the Red fighters safely withdrew.
At around 12:32 noon, on the same day, another harassment was launched by a team of NPA-Front 8 against the operating troops of the 26th IBPA in Barangay Culiram, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. There was no reported casualty from the encounter.
In these three incidents, the enemy sought to surprise the Red fighters of the NPA who were organizing, doing production work and delivering services to the masses. The enemy used small forces in each column to avoid detection. But because the NPA were alert and prepared, they immediately planned the counter-attack. The masses also played a big role in frustrating these AFP attacks.
On the other hand, prior to these incidents the NPA in Front 19 launched a harassment against the CAFGU detachment in Barangay Los Arcos, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur in the morning of February 28, 2017. One was wounded from the forces of the 9th SF coy of the 3rd SFB PA.
In the afternoon at around 3:20, NPA–Front 14 launched a punitive action against Sumitomo Fruits (SUMIFRU) by burning the container van filled with bananas in Sityo Anoling, Barangay Sta Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. SUMIFRU was punished because of its land grabbing, destruction of the environment and grave exploitation of its workers.
The series of military actions launched by the NPA-NEMR were the people and the revolutionary movement in the region’s efforts to defend and resist. These were against the AFP’s brutal and oppressive all-out-war and Oplan Kapayapaan of the AFP. It will resolutely defeat the attacks of AFP forces in the barrios of the region especially in the countrysides.
The people then must act in unity, vigorously and with determination for the struggle to defend against the all out war of the AFP and Oplan Kapayapaan to be able to counter the human rights violations committed by the AFP.
The Red fighters must always be alert, raise the level of readiness and hold on to the principles of guerilla war. We should take inspiration from all the successful battles and defense against the attacks of the fascist military. Raise the level of resistance to annihilating the weak column of the enemy and confiscate arms from them.
Intensify the people’s war!
Ka Ariel Montero
Spokesperson
Regional Operational Command
