Army hunts down ‘NPA arsonist,’ seizes firearms, war materiel

SOLDIERS from Army’s 4th Infantry Division finally hunted down on Monday a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) communist group allegedly responsible for the burning of two heavy equipment owned by the Butal and Singcol Construction Firm on June 19 evening at Barangay Sinabuagan, Valencia City,  Bukidnon, a military official said Wednesday.

Military authorities even eyed extortion by suspected NPA arsonists as the motive behind the burning of heavy equipment after the firm refused to submit to their extortion schemes.

Army’s 4ID public affairs chief Captain Al Anthony Pueblas identified the suspected NPA arsonist as Fredo Banawan also known as “Migz”, 35, a native of Brgy Cawayan of Quezon, Bukidnon.

Pueblas said Banawan has been a fugitive of the law for a violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012  with a standing warrant of arrest under criminal case number 33387-19 issued by Hon Eldred D. Cole of RTC Branch 10, in Malaybalay City.

“The said fugitive (Banawan) is also implicated in various crimes of arson, extortion, grave threat and murder being espoused by their terrorist organization in the province of Bukidnon,” said Pueblas.

Banawan was a known member of Guerilla Front “Malayag” of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in a series of clashes in the hinterland areas of Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.

“The burning of private properties is a clear violation of the rule of law and the International Humanitarian Law committed by these ruthless NPA terrorists,” said Pueblas.

Pueblas said after the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion launched its pursuit operations against Banawan the government troops engaged the NPAs to a gun battle that soldiers were able to recover at the encounter site 6 high-powered firearms which include 4 M16 rifles, carbine, and 1 M203 grenade launcher at around 2 pm of June 22, 2020.

Pueblas also said that while withdrawing, the rebels encountered again the soldiers at around 4:50 to 5:50 pm of the same day. He said another bunch of communist rebels war materiel was seized by the operating troops that include 1 laptop, 6 mobile phones, 1 C4 landmine, 2 improvised anti-personnel mines, assorted magazines of M14 and M16 rifles, 3 burners, assorted medical stuff, personal belongings, and documents with high tactical value.

“Our troops will be relentless in our pursuit against the communist terrorists who have nothing to offer to the people but endless violence and a vicious cycle of terror, said Army’s 4ID commander Major General Andres Centino.

Centino said the intensified campaign is aimed to finally put an end to the decade’s long problem of communist insurgency.

“We call on all well-meaning and responsible citizens to support our campaign against the communist terrorist group so that we will finally end this menace of our society,” said Centino.

The military also urged the business sectors and other victims of extortion by the NPA to “stand up and not be afraid, but cooperate instead with the authorities.”

“To the remaining communist NPA terrorists, your end is nearing, Your meaningless cause is dying and your deception of the people has long been uncovered,” said Centino adding, “Lay down your arms while there is still time, receive the government’s socio-economic support and rejoin your families. (Ben Balce)