GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Government troops have increased their presence in the upland communities of Malapatan town in Sarangani province to counter the reported harassment and extortion activities of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area.
Lt Col. Marion Angcao, commanding officer of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Tuesday that pursuit operations are ongoing against NPA rebels who reportedly preyed on civilians in remote villages of Malapatan.
Angcao said residents of Barangay Suyan reported last week the presence of NPA rebels from its Front 71 under a certain alias “Bagyo.”
He said the rebels are behind the harassment and extortion activities against residents in Sitio Mahayag and other nearby sitios of Barangay Upper Suyan.
Responding 73IB soldiers clashed with the rebels last Friday evening, resulting in the death of an alleged member of the NPA member identified as a certain Jimmy Ambat. The follow-up search and clearing operations at the clash site on Saturday morning resulted in the recovery of an M1 .30-caliber rifle, he said.
“(Our) troops are there in the area to secure peace and ensure the safety of residents as part of our mandate on protecting the people against terrorists,” Angcao said.
Angcao vowed to never “let our guards down” against any armed threat that can harm the peace in the community.
Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, commanding officer of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade, assured that the security operations will continue, noting that “the people of Sarangani deserve to have a peaceful environment.”
Ancan urged members of NPA units operating in the area to voluntarily surrender and avail of the government’s enhanced reintegration program.
“The continuous armed struggle will only bring death, misery, anger, and poverty. We are once again calling on the NPAs to go back to the folds of law. Various benefits are enhanced to support you and your families especially when you surrender and lay down your firearms,” Ancan said. (Alejandro Saludo/PNA)
