CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal – ANOTHER brazen attack was carried out by the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists on soldiers while conducting a post disaster response mission in General Nakar, Quezon.
According to Capt. Jaydrald Ternio, Chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) of the 2nd Infantry Division, around 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 15, while soldiers belonging to the 1st and 80th Battalion were attacked by NPA terrorists in Barangay Pagsangahan.
The soldiers while on a foot patrol assessing situations in the area affected by the recent typhoon, spotted at least 7 armed men while conducting extortion activities to the civilians who were residents of the said Barangay.
Terrorists immediately drawn their guns and rifles and beginning to open fire at soldiers which in return retaliates.
After several minutes of intense gunfight, the terrorists cowardly fled towards unknown direction.
“These ragtag band of armed opportunists engaged by the soldiers were on their way to beg food from the locals as they were also affected by the recent typhoons. We could have also given these terrorists relief goods if they asked for it instead of compelling the poor and vulnerable typhoon-stricken locals to provide the provisions for them,” said Brig. General Alex Rillera, commander of the 202nd Brigade-Philippine Army.
It will be recalled that last Thursday, November 12, the 85th Infantry Battalion clashed with a group of NPA terrorists from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC PLAtun Sol and Japson) while conducting a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) in Barangay Lahing, Macaleon.
Major General Greg Almerol, the commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion “Jungle Fighter”, was disappointed with the exploitative moves of the NPA, saying “Their act of attacking our soldiers further solidifies the truth that these NPA terrorists are not really for the people. We are still helping our fellowmen who were devastated by the recent typhoon that hit our part of the country not even a week ago, and yet these rebels are continuing to endanger the lives of the people who they claim they are for. “
Almerol calls on to the NPA to surrender properly and it surely be provided them by the government benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integrated Program or E-CLIP, before it is too late.
The area where the encounter erupted was placed under high alert status to repel the fugitive terrorists.