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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Army thwarts NPA arson attempt in Agusan del Norte

Army thwarts NPA arson attempt in Agusan del Norte

Published Oct 1, 2020 08:41 am

BUTUAN CITY – Troops of the Army’s 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (29th IB) foiled an attempt by the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) to torch an irrigation construction site  and engaged them in a firefight in Barangay Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday, the military reported on Thursday.

Based on reports, the soldiers immediately conducted combat patrol upon receiving reports from concerned villagers about the presence of an undetermined number of CNTs in their targeted areas.

The CNTs were believed to be members of SYP16-A of Guerilla Front 16 (GF16) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. 

“It is significant to note that five villagers hail from the same barangay of Baleguian where the arson attempt by the NPA was made,” 29th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer 1st Lt. Edmar C. Colagong said.

The clash lasted for almost five minutes. The CNTs reportedly fled leaving their personal stuff and container with gasoline that they were supposed to use for arson.

No one was hurt on the government side while several NPAs reportedly suffered injuries.  

The encounter site was a few meters away from the site of an irrigation project intended for the Baleguian Farmers Irrigators Association (BOFIA), an organization formerly influenced by communist terrorist group which already cut its ties and denounced the CNTs.

Initial investigation revealed that extortion could be the motive for the arson attempt.

As of press time, soldiers are conducting pursuit operations.

In the statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Thursday, 29th IB commander Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste said that the operation conducted was an intelligence-driven effort in response to reliable and timely information provided by the locals.  

Col. George L. Banzon, commanding officer of the Army’s 901st Infantry (Fight’Em) Brigade, lauded the ground troops for foiling the arson attempt. 

“The involvement of locals within the community is vital for the security forces to have a prompt and responsive action on the ground,” he said.

“We will have an effective course of action in preventing this threat group from doing atrocity if the community will cooperate and will not hide information,” Banzon said. 

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