BOHOL CLASH. Soldiers from the 47th Infantry Battalion recover food and medical supplies from about 12 members of the New People's Army (NPA) after a 10-minute clash at Purok 7, Barangay Cambigsi, Bilar town in Bohol province on Sunday (April 26, 2020). 1st Lt. Elma Grace Remonde, civil-military operations officer of the 47IB, said the soldiers were conducting security operations to ensure smooth distribution of the Social Amelioration Program cash aid when they engaged the NPA terrorist insurgents in a clash. (Photo courtesy of 47th Infantry Battalion-Civil Military Operations)
CEBU CITY – Government troops tasked to secure local officials distributing cash assistance to residents on Sunday clashed with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the municipality of Bilar in Bohol province.
No one was reported killed nor injured on both sides.
In an interview Monday, 1Lt. Elma Grace Remonde, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB), told the Philippine News Agency that the troopers were conducting security operations in the villages near the town proper in preparation for the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) assistance scheduled today (Monday).
"There were also reports that terrorist NPAs (would) sabotage the distribution of SAP which prompted 47IB to conduct security operations in order to deny the CTG's (communist terrorist group) evil plan," Remonde said.
She said the firefight erupted at around 12:30 p.m. in Purok 7, Barangay Cambigsi, and lasted for 10 minutes.
“NPA fighters then dispersed towards different directions, leaving their temporary lair with their foodstuffs that are allegedly from the civilians. Ammunition and medical aids were also found in the encounter site,” she said.
Earlier, soldiers from the 47IB based in Tubigon, Bohol received reports from residents about armed men who were allegedly harassing the villagers and forcing them to hand in food amid the crisis brought about by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Remonde said.
Mayor Manuel Jayectin of Bilar strongly condemned the NPA's plan to disturb the distribution of cash assistance to the people who are affected by the community quarantine in Bohol due to Covid-19.
"These NPAs have not been of help to the people, much an addition to the problem of the communities in fighting the pandemic crisis,” Jayectin was quoted as saying in a statement
Lt. Col. Allan Tabudlo, commanding officer of 47IB, assured the people in Bohol that the Army is on top of the situation and the presence of the armed insurgents will be dealt with accordingly.
“The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA once again proved that they are not pro-poor as they always claim but anti-poor and anti-people as they are the cause of the delay in the delivery of government assistance to rightful beneficiaries.”
Tabudlo lamented that despite the health crisis, the rebels continue (with) their antagonism rather than helping the people who are in need. “They are worst than Covid-19,” he said. (PNA)
