Alleged members of New People’s Army (NPA) violated their own unilateral ceasefire by conducting extortion in Agusan del Norte, the military said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, public affairs officer of the 4th Infantry Division, said the armed men attacked government troops in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga around 11:20 am Monday.
He said the soldiers were responding to the reported presence of an armed group conducting extortion in the community.
Trinidad said the first encounter lasted for about five minutes while the second clash between soldiers and 18 rebels believed to be members of Samahang Yunit Pampropaganda-16A (SYP16A), Guerilla Front-16 (GF16), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Samuel Batikan alias Albren at 11:35 am of the same day.
Trinidad said the second clash that lasted for about 15 minutes resulted in the recovery of four rolls of detonating cords (250 meters each), three magazines for AK-47 with 30 serviceable ammunition, and assorted empty shells for AK-47 and M-16 rifles.
“The communist terrorists suffered heavy losses as evidenced by the bloodstains in the encounter site and withdrawal route while negative casualties on the government forces,” he said.
Trinidad said despite the suspension of focus military operation following the declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the government from March 19 to April 15,” 2020, the 4th ID said it will not neglect its mandate in securing the community. Robina Asido/DMS
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