| Soldiers stay vigilant of spillover in NorCot clashes |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre | |
| Sunday, 10 August 2008 | |
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Military forces in Davao del Sur have been in heightened alert and established preventive measures for possible spillover of clashes that ensued in some parts of North Cotabato since Friday.
Major Lyndon Paniza, the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion commander said in a telephone interview they are constantly monitoring the war that broke out in Aleosan, North Cotabato and its neighboring towns that triggered a massive evacuation of villagers in the area.
“The boundaries of these provinces are located in the towns of Makilala, North Cotabato and Bansalan in Davao del Sur, so we have to be vigilant before we would be caught off-guard,” Paniza said.
However, Paniza has reported during the peace and order council meeting, the other week, there were no reported sightings of MILF forces in the province.
Government troopers in the province focused on the resurgence of communist rebels in remote barangays that brought sporadic fighting and attacks on business installations.
Paniza said a still unidentified NPA rebel was killed during an encounter that ensued at about 5 p.m. on Friday at Sitio Katkat, Barangay Daliawon Plantation, Toril District in Davao City.
The military recovered three M-16 Armalite rifles the rebels left at the battleground.
Paniza said the encounter involved less that 20 NPA rebels belonging to Front-51 and led by a certain Glenn and Bobby.
“Most likely, there are other fatalities in the rebels side since they would not leave their firearms unless the one carrying it is still alive,” Paniza said.
Earlier that day, a militiaman was also killed during an encounter with rebels at Sitio Balagonon, Barangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
CAA Dioscoro Danosa, a resident of Gumamela Street, Bansalan town died from multiple gunshot wounds after the rebels ambushed them at dawn of Friday.
Paniza said Front Committee-51 NPA leader Marvin led the attack.
The Daliawon encounter was the offshoot of the military’s pursuit operation. |