| Military combs Malita mountain ranges for NPA rebels |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre | |
| Tuesday, 22 July 2008 | |
|
Government troopers are now intensifying its combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) following the recent attacks in a mining firm in Kiblawan, and the encounter in Malita over the weekend.
Major Lyndon Paniza, commanding officer of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) has confirmed reports that two elements of the battalion’s ‘Charlie Company’ assigned in Malita, Davao del Sur were hurt during the encounter with heavily armed NPA rebels on Sunday.
They were identified as Privates First Class Felicito Malaga and Tahir Parcol.
The military said the encounter that took place at Sitio Kalamagan, Barangay Macol in Malita lasted for 30 minutes of running gun-battle since early hours of Sunday.
Paniza said although there were no bodies found at the battleground soldiers believed they killed some of the rebels.
“Rebels usually carry their wounded and fallen comrades to make it appear that only the government side suffered casualties during an encounter,” the military commander said.
He said the rebels belong to the CPP/NPA Front Committee-71 led by Kumander Warren.
On the other hand, prior to the said incident more or less 30 heavily armed NPA rebels stormed the mining site of the Sagittarius Mining Incorporated (SMI) on Saturday night and torched its drilling machine in Barangay Kimlawis, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur.
Police reports said the rebels led by Kumander Jam-Jam and Kumander Joy-Joy of the CPP/NPA Front Committee-74 posed as SMI workers and overpowered the security guards and confiscated their firearms.
The rebels seized at least ten shotguns, a carbine rifle and a handgun during the attack.
It was not certain if the multi-million drilling machine could still be repaired or discarded for scrap.
Senior Supt. Cesario Darantinao said the rebels are strengthening its mass base in the remote villages and revitalizing its forces.
However, the police and the military said they are still on top of the situation. |