Army ready for NPA
anniversary attacks

By MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) is stepping up its intelligence monitoring and combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The rebels are celebrating their 41st founding anniversary on March 29.

The other day, soldiers of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) clashed with around 30 armed rebels in Sitio Bais, Brgy. Igcabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo around 10:30 a.m.

The encounter lasted for about 30 minutes. No soldier got hurt.

Government troops believed they have wounded several rebels, noting the traces of blood found along the insurgents’ path of withdrawal.

According to Lt. Col. George Lalaquil, commanding officer of the 82IB, the soldiers responded to the area after hearing loud gunshots.

Lalaquil said the rebels were under Lex Cadiz of the NPA Southern Front's First Platoon.

“As the date of their founding anniversary nears, the rebels plan to escalate their illegal and terrorist activities in areas where they are losing support and influence,” he revealed, citing intelligence reports.

“The government troops are prepared,” Lalaquil stressed.

A week ago in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, elements of the 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion clashed with some 20 rebels. They recovered three high-powered firearms but one soldier got killed.

Records of the Armed Forces showed that the NPA had killed 65 civilians and soldiers in Panay Island since 2000.

The highest cases of atrocities were recorded in Negros Island. About P32-million worth of farm and heavy equipment, four delivery trucks, communication facilities of Globe Telecom and sugarcane plantations were also torched or bombed by the rebels.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade also revealed that 67 civilians and 16 soldiers were killed by the rebels in Negros Island./PN