Security forces yesterday foiled a plot by the New People’s Army to conduct a massive offensive during President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address with the killing of eight insurgents in a fierce fight in Compostela Valley Wednesday morning.
The latest firefight with the local communist also claimed the life of a soldier.
Army Capt. Alexandre Cabales, acting chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the clash occurred after ground troops encountered a 40-man rebel band at Barangay L.S. Sarmiento, Laak, Compostela Valley at around 8:30 a.m.
Cabales said the NPA group were the same rebel band that troops from the 25th Infantry Battalion had engaged in a clash in Barangay Casoon in Monkayo town which led to the seizure of an NPA camp last July 10.
He said the rebel group was planning to avenge the seizure of the communist camp in Boy Casison through an ambush against military personnel but failed as security forces anticipated the plot.
Prior to the series of encounters, Lt. Col. Ismael Mandanas, commander of 25IB said that they have been receiving reports that the same NPA rebel group will consolidate at Barangay Casoon to conduct tactical offensives prior to President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address in compliance to their communist leaders instructions,”
Anticipating the NPA attack, combined troops from the 25th Infantry Battalion and 60th Infantry Battalion conducted combat patrol in Barangay Casoon and eventually chanced upon the same rebel group.
An hour-long fighting ensued with the rebel band, after which the insurgents withdrew leaving 8 of their comrades dead.
The troops recovered six high-powered firearms consisting of five armalite rifles and an M60 machine gun left by the fleeing rebels.
Major Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, lauded the bravery of the troops even as he expressed sadness following the death of one of the soldiers, who was not named pending notification of his loved ones.
“We will not lower our guards against any arm threat that can harm the peaceful leaving of our people,” Clement said.
Cabales said the troops are still in pursuit against the fleeing rebels while the army and the police set up checkpoints in a bid to intercept the insurgents.
