By Freddie Lazaro
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – A group of New People’s Army (NPA) fighters attacked the detachment of the Civilian Active Auxiliary in Barangay Balanni, Sto. Niño, Cagayan on Monday.
New People's Army (MANILA BULLETIN)
Lt/ Col. Jesus Pagala, the commander of the Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion, said Friday the soldiers and volunteers repulsed the rebels.
“No casualty reported on the troops and civilian volunteers as they fired back at their attackers, who were using M-16 Armalite based on the rifle bullets found at the site the next day,” Pagala said.
Pagala said the attack by at least five heavily armed rebels appears to have been spurred by the declaration of the NPA as persona non grata by the Barangay Balanni’s Peace and Order Council last April 13.
“The strafe case is considered as an act of desperation of the rebels as they have already lost their battle in the area of Sto Niño, Cagayan wherein the community abhors the terroristic actions of these rebels resulting to the attackers to forcefully take revenge on the innocent troopers and civilian volunteers who are performing their duties of guarding the peace and security of the area,” he said.
Pagala said the troops of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) were continuously working with different local government units and agencies in isolating and disabling the communist insurgents from pursuing their terroristic objectives.