CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The New People’s Army (NPA) has owned up the attack on a police station in Binuangan town, Misamis Oriental on Sunday, Dec. 3.
In a text message sent to the media on Sunday, the NPA said the unit responsible for the attack was the East Misamis Oriental Northeastern Bukidnon (Emoneb) Subregional Command.
“This (attack) should serve as a reminder to the police, military and the Duterte regime that the NPA does not fear of his (Duterte) threat of all-out war and martial law whose victims are the hapless civilians,” a part of the text message said.
It added the NPA suffered no casualty on its side.
Police report said about a hundred NPA fighters stormed the town’s police station at around 3:15 a.m. Sunday. Four police officers were wounded in the firefight that lasted for about three hours.
The attack was allegedly led by Manuelito Satur, alias “Ka Musong,” a certain Jakem, Oscar Romania, a certain “Amboy” and “Makong Mansigyaw.”
Authorities condemed the foiled attack, saying it reeks of desperation.
“The NPA terrorists failed on their attack on the police station and failed to get their (police) firearms, and retreated to the hinterlands, because our [Phil. National Police] personnel fought hard and defended their police station despite the NPA strength,” said Supt. Lemuel Gonda, PNP-10 spokesperson.
In a separate statement, the Phil. Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said the attack was a failure and an insult to the leaders of the Maoist insurgents.
“This another failed terror attack is a big slap to the NPA leadership. More than the resiliency of the PNP who stood their ground during the attack are the timely report and outpouring support from the civilians about the NPA’s plan,” Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, the 4ID commander, said.
Villanueva said, “we condemn the terrorists courses of action when they used the civilian properties, such as vehicles along the highway and the nearby houses as their shield. This is a clear and undeniable proof that they really do not care about the safety of the masses. All they wanted to do is to sow fear to advance their terroristic activities that are aimed to make people suffer.” (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)
