Army, NPA clash in Misamis Occidental

By Martin Sadongdong / Manila Bulletin

(Map illustration courtesy of Philippine Army 1st Infantry Division)

The Philippine Army (PA) figured in a fresh armed encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Calamba, Misamis Occidental on Tuesday morning, July 27, the second incident in a little over two weeks.

Major Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division (1ID), said a platoon of Alpha Company belonging to the 10th Infantry Battalion (10IB) was engaged in a firefight by an undetermined number of “Guerilla Front Sendong” warriors in Barangay Singalat around 8:30 a.m.

Ponio said the troops were conducting combat operations when they were fired upon by the communist rebels.

The firefight lasted for 30 minutes until the enemies were compelled to withdraw after being overpowered, he noted.

No one died from the side of the military while there were “undetermined” number of casualties on the enemies’ part.

During clearing operations, the troops recovered several “personal belongings” of the rebels, the military commander said.

The clash occured over two weeks after the battalion encountered the same group of communist rebels, who are operating under the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, last July 11.

During the said encounter, the military seized an AK-47 rifle, various magazines and ammunition, gadgets, medical supplies, and flags of the CPP.

The 10IB has conducted blocking operations to deny enemies’ access to the neighboring barangays, Ponio said.

“The Tabak troopers stand ready to respond and addressaby attempt by the threat groups in endangering the safety and welfare of the people,” he stressed.