BUTUAN CITY – The 29th Infantry Battalion foiled an extortion attempt by the New People’s Army in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday, March 12.

Lt. Col. Cresencio Gargar, 29th IB commanding officer, said they received information from residents regarding the presence of Squad 2, Sub-Regional SDG Westland, of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Commander Rem.
“They (CNTs) were allegedly conducting extortion activities to small-scale miners in the area (Del Pilar) on Tuesday,” Gargar said.
Troops were deployed to the area and engaged NPA rebels who fled and left behind war materials and voluminous documents with high intelligence value.
No casualty was reported on the government side. The military has yet to determine if there are fatalities among the communist guerillas.
Gargar said the encounter came days after a gun battle on February 23 in the hinterlands of nearby Barangay Concepcion.
He said troops encountered the same group. An NPA rebel was killed and an AK47 and bullets were recovered.
Gargar said Barangay Del Pilar has been cleared of NPA rebels and thanked residents for promptly reporting the presence of these guerillas.
He assured the people that the 29th IB remains committed to its mandate of securing the people and protecting Agusan del Norte.