By Maria Malaya
Spokesperson, NDF-Northeastern Mindanao Region
There is no truth to the PNP and AFP report that 12 NPA Red fighters died in a firefight last June 29, 2008 at about nine in the morning at the shoreline of Brgy. Panatao, Claver, Surigao del Norte. Initial reports reaching the NDF-NEMR office from the command of the said NPA unit belie this report. Same PNP-AFP report said that the Commanding Officer of the PNP Regional Mobile Group and another policeman died while two army soldiers of the 30th IB were wounded during the said encounter. Reports from the local residents and travelers that have witnessed the incident said they have not seen any dead body of the NPA, on the contrary, military helicopters airlifted more 30th IB and PNP casualties than what is being reported to the media.
