In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

NPA arsonist killed, rebels injured in Laguna encounter

By Saul Pa-a

February 15, 2019, 11:55 pm

CAMP GEN. MATEO CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) communist terrorist group responsible for burning heavy equipment for a dam project was killed in a military encounter  in Sitio Pinamintian, Barangay San Buenaventura, Luisiana, Laguna on Thursday.
 
Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Commander of the 202nd Brigade, who directly supervises ongoing Focused Military Operations (FMO) to run after rebel arsonists, said government troops engaged the NPAs to a gun battle, killing one of them and injuring several others, as evidenced by heavy traces of bloodstains at the encounter site.
 
No one was hurt on the government side, as military offensives forced terrorist insurgents who dragged along wounded and suspected dead comrades, as they fled towards different directions.
 
Military and police officials said their series of encounters are considered punitive actions against the NPA arsonists whose attacks on civilians and their properties are expected to cause a  delay in the ongoing construction of the Kaliwa Dam and component road projects. 
 
The Kaliwa Dam, one of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure flagship projects, is expected to bring development and provide livelihood for the people in the far-flung areas of Quezon and Laguna.
 
“Thursday’s encounter was the result of the 80th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Jungle Fighter Company’s pursuit operations in Infanta, Quezon,” Burgos said. 
 
As of press time, government troops were continuing their operations against the terrorists, while checkpoints were heightened to collar rebels lurking in the area. (PNA)

Comments