PIA Press Release
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Army stops armed group attackDAVAO CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The 10th Infantry Division’s Peace and Development Team thwarted an attack perpetrated by the lawless armed group New People’s Army on Monday afternoon, Jan. 16, in Brgy. Malinawon, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province. According to 10th ID’s Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, government troops were able to repulse the attack. “They were able to counter the attack and exchanged fire that ensued to a fire fight of about one hour after which the NPAs immediately withdraw towards the boundary of Nabunturan,” he said. Paniza said that the residents in the area reported the presence of an armed group on board a carnapped Sadam Truck heading towards a banana plantation to harass the residents to give in to their extortion demands. He said that the residents were threatened by the presence of the group and, according to him, that alone violates the rights of civilians who are residing and, at the same time, working in said plantation. Furthermore, the spokesman stated that the encounter resulted to the death of six LAG-NPA members and the recovery of five high powered fire arms to include two M16, two M14 and one caliber 30 Machine gun. “We immediately established blockade at the possible route of withdrawal to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent them to create further assault in the area,” he said. Paniza lauded the immediate response of the residents and workers in the plantation, saying that “The successful defense was due to the timely information by the community who were fed up of these criminals and fast reaction of the government troops.” (10th ID/PR) |
