CAMP GEN. MATEO CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — Government troops belonging to the Army’s 1st Infantry Battalion (1IB) clashed anew with the New Peoples Army (NPA) Communist terrorist group in Sitio Cabungahan, Mauban, Quezon on Sunday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Manio, Commanding Officer of the 1st IB, said the armed encounter occurred 3:15 p.m., immediately after receiving verified intelligence reports and information from concerned citizens.
Manio confirmed reports that the NPA terrorist group’s plan to burn construction equipment that were stationed for the Real-Mauban Road Project in eastern Quezon province.
He said the troops proceeded to the site to confirm the report when they encountered around 20 NPA rebels believed to be belonging to Platoon 4A1 of the Sub-Regional Military Area 4A1, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Commitee (STRPC).
He said firefight ensued and lasted for 30 minutes, leaving an undetermined number of casualties from the enemy side due to some traces of blood stains at the encounter site. The NPAs withdrew, bringing along their wounded comrades.
Manio reported two soldiers were wounded but are now in stable condition.
The pursuing soldiers recovered an M16 rifle that was left by the rebels.
Military report also said a group of NPA members burned the construction equipment of Monte Rock Quarry at Sitio Upper Abuab, Barangay Malanday in San Mateo, Rizal at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
According to the report reaching this camp headquarters, around 20 armed men with five female companions, some clad in police athletic uniforms, forcibly entered the quarry compound, disarmed the security guards and then burned the heavy equipment.
The NPA members were reported to have fled towards the San Mateo landfill on board the two quarry firm’s trucks, carting away laptops, radios and assorted cash.
Brigadier General Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., Commander of the 202nd Infantry (UNIFIER) Brigade, which exercises operational jurisdiction over Calabarzon Region, said the 1IB troops’ encounter has preempted NPA plans to sabotage the road construction project in Quezon.
Burgos condemned the latest arson incident perpetrated by the communist terrorist group in Rizal.
“The recent atrocities perpetrated by the NPA communist terrorist group targeting construction companies are clear manifestations of their anti- development objectives,” Burgos said.
Meanwhile, Major General Rhoderick M. Parayno, Commander of the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID), lauded efforts of the 1IB troops against the terrorists.
“The NPAs are attacking civilians. They don’t want development to reach the communities as this will limit their movement. Hitting soft targets will cover their weakness. This is their way of projecting strength. We will run after them,” Parayno said.
As of press time, the police has beefed up checkpoints in the area as pursuit operations are still ongoing. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
