 links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/14-afp-data-articles/1176-afp-thwarts-npa-extortion-in-albay-2-rebels-killed-firearms-recovered-in-encounter AFP Thwarts NPA Extortion in Albay; 2 Rebels Killed, Firearms Recovered in Encounter
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Responding
to reports from concerned civilians, Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) troops launched security operations against New People’s Army
(NPA) rebels conducting extortion activities in Albay, Bicol, today.
About
6:45 this morning, Army troopers of Bravo Company, 2nd Infantry
Battalion led by 1Lt. Roger Vilano clashed with more or less six NPAs in
Brgy. Badbad, Oas, Albay. Lt. Col. Andrew D. Costelo, Battalion
Commander said "our troops were on security patrol when we received a
report from a concerned citizen that NPA members were sighted on the
area conducting extortion activities.”
“The
troops immediately proceeded to verify the report and secure the
civilians when the NPAs open fired at them,” Costelo added.
Firefight
lasted for five minutes which resulted to the death of two NPA members
known only as alias Dennis, team leader of the rebels and alias Peter.
The encounter also resulted to the recovery of two M16 rifles,
bandoleers, and personal belongings. The enemy withdrew heading towards
Brgy. Mayag and Matara, both of Oas, Albay.
A
company from the 2IB proceeded in the area to closely supervise the
incident. No casualty from the AFP troops was reported while civilians
were successfully kept safe and unharmed.
The
Philippine National Police – Scene of the Crime Operatives already
coordinated with the Army’s 2IB for the conduct of investigation and
documentation.
"We want to settle
this in a peaceful manner however, the Army is mandated to safeguard the
peace and protect the people from internal threat groups. We are
reaching out to them to abandon the armed struggle and return to the
mainstream of society and live a normal life like many of their comrades
did. The AFP is sincere and the government will accept and help them,"
said Col Raul Farnacio, 901st Brigade Commander.
AFP Websites
Links:
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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Friday, July 19, 2013
AFP Thwarts NPA Extortion in Albay; 2 Rebels Killed, Firearms Recovered in Encounter
