‘Army not telling the real score’

By LITO RULONA,
and Shiela Mae Butlig,
Correspondents

 Rebel forces accused army officials of not telling the real score during the recent encounter of the Army’s1st Special Forces Batallion and Cafgu elements from Barangay Lourdes detachment against rebel unit from Mt. Kitanglad Subregional Command in the forested area of Sitio Tun-ogan, Brgy. Lilingayon, Valencia City on August 5.

Ka Allan Juanito, spokesperson of NPA – NCMROC in a press statement said the rebel forces courageously retaliated the 1st SFB and the clash ensued for more than an hour.

He said Capt. Patrick Martinez, 4th ID’s spokesperson, claimed to have suffered a casualty in the name of Pfc. Ricardo Simbajon. But he failed to reveal the four 1st SF troopers who were seen by civilians delivered from the said barrio into their 1st SF Company command post in Brgy. Kibanggay, Lantapan and the wounded one Dario Libugan.

According to civilian witnesses, an undetermined number of wounded SF and Cafgu troops were rescued and picked-up by an ambulance and other AFP vehicles. On the other hand, the said NPA unit suffered three wounded fighters. Left from the scene of the firefight were six high-caliber firearms, two shotguns and a .45 pistol, personal guerilla belongings and other camping amenities.

“The AFP falsely claimed to have responded to calls from residents in the area because of NPA extortion activities. In truth, the 1st SFB were launching combat-operation at the time,” he said.

“The next morning at around 7:00 o’clock, 1st SF troops scouring the scene were harassed by an NPA team near the incident of the clash. One SF trooper was wounded here as witnessed by residents being man-carried by their fellow soldiers that night.”

On August 6 after the harassment, AFP troops released four stoke mortar shells and triple fires while on reinforcement. Ten howitzer shells were also struck pointing the firefight scene on August 7. These resulted in the residents’ malaise – endangering the health of a mother just recently delivering a baby, increased blood pressure of their elderly and suspending the schoolchildren’s classes, Juanito said.

Juanito said this is the face of President Duterte’s marching orders for his reactionary armed forces to launch offensives against the NPA after lifting his June 25 unilateral ceasefire declaration, the said NPA unit left their guards down as according to the order of the NPA-National Operational Command (NOC) for all NPA units nationwide to maintain active defense posture.

“While we are hopeful for the resumption of the formal peace talks this August 20 and its accompanying CPP ceasefire declaration, we expect further clashes between the AFP and the NPA from this hour day up to the day the ceasefire order is in effect. Thus, we must triple our alertness against enemy encroachments and attacks,” said Juanito.