NPA rebels attack Army Patrol Base near power barge in Agusan del Norte

By BEN SERRANO,
Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY — An undetermined number of New People’s Army attacked an Army patrol base near a ThermaMarine Power Barge in Barangay Manoligao, Carmen, Agusan del Norte almost midnight Thursday last week.

Military and police reports claimed one Cafgu Active Auxillary (CAA) member was killed and scores hurt on the side of the NPAs still unidentified after their comrades brought along with them their wounded comrades.

The rebels allegedly attacked while the barangay was celebrating its annual fiesta’s dance night which caused the villages to panic.

Some barangay officials and villagers claimed some 50 NPA guerillas attacked the patrol base of the 23rd Infantry Battalion located in Barangay Manoligao. The local police, for its part, said they are still investigating the villagers and barangay officials claims.

The Army’s 23rd IB commander Lt. Col. Lynart Castisimo identified the lone casualty as CAA member Rodolfo Calumpac who is assigned in the Manoligao Patrol Base, married and resident of Barangay Manoligao.

“Because of this harassment of the New People’s Army, we are raising alert level 4 on the Therma Marine Power Barge now docked at Barangay Sta. Ana Port in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte,” Calumpac said.

The attack was a divertionary tactic especially since there are now threats on vital installations by NPA rebels, Calumpac added.

Hot pursuit operations against the fleeing NPA rebels by military and the PNP operatives are on-going, Agusan del Norte Provincial Police Office claimed.