By Philippine News Agency
CAMP GEN. MATEO CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) communist terrorist group responsible for burning heavy equipment for a dam project was killed in a military encounter Thursday in Sitio Pinamintian, Barangay San Buenaventura, Luisiana, Laguna.
Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Commander of the 202nd Brigade, who directly supervises ongoing Focused Military Operation (FMO) to run after rebel arsonists, said government troops engaged the NPAs to a gun battle, killing one of them and injuring several others as evidenced by heavy traces of bloodstains at the encounter site.
No one was hurt on the government side, as military offensives forced terrorist insurgents who dragged along wounded andsuspected dead comrades, as they fled towards different directions.
Military and police officials said their series of encounters are considered punitive actions against the NPA arsonists whose attacks to civilians and their properties are expected to cause delay in the ongoing construction of Kaliwa Dam and component road projects.
The Kaliwa Dam, one of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure flagship projects is expected to bring development and provide livelihood for the people in the far-flung areas of Quezon and Laguna.
“Thursday’s encounter was the result of the 80th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Jungle Fighter Company’s (2JFC) pursuit operations in Infanta, Quezon,” Burgos said.
As of press time, government troops are continuing their ongoing pursuit operations against the terrorists, while checkpoints are heightened to collar the rebels lurking in the area.