AFP troops deter harassment of communities by NPA units
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| File photo by Mark Balmores/MANILA BULLETIN |
Combat troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue to protect and defend village communities against harassment perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists, disclosed regional Army spokesman on Saturday.
In a statement to The Manila Bulletin, Capt. Jerry S. Lamosao, regional Army spokesman of 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (10th ID), said the NPA terrorists attempted to harass some far-flung village communities in Compostela Valley (ComVal) and Davao Oriental provinces but were prevented by the combat maneuvering battalions of the 10th ID.
Combat maneuvering troops of the 71st Infantry Battallion (71st IB) recovered 2 units (Anti-Tank) of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), weighing 30 kilos each, believed to be emplaced by members of SECOM 27 and SRC 2 of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) at the vicinity of Sitio Lower Mahayag, Barangay Nuevo Iloco, Mawab, ComVal province at 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday(Dec, 27), the 10th ID spokesperson claimed.
At 1:50 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 28), elements of 66th IB were deployed to respond and verify the information from the local residents that there were armed men believed to be NPA terrorists roaming around in their community, prompting the security patrol to proceed to the reported area. They encountered an undetermined number of NPA terrorists for 20 minutes at vicinity Sitio Mabugnao, Barangay Las Arenas, Pantukan town of the same province, the regional Army spokesman said.
As the situation progressed, at 4: 35 p.m. on the same day (Dec. 28), another section of 28th IB encountered some 10 NPA terrorists at the vicinity Sitio Bato-bato, Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona, Davao Oriental, he said.
At about 7:45 p.m. of the same day (Dec. 28), a team of 28th IB on board a Military Utility Elf, while traversing Tarragona-Barangay Tuboan road to fetch the slightly wounded soldier was land mined at vicinity Sitio Guibaan, Barangay Tubaon of that same town. The Elf Truck was slightly damaged at the rear portion, he said.
At around 7:50 p.m. on the same day, one Platoon of 67th IB encountered another 10 NPA terrorists believed to be members of Pulang Bagani Command 8 (PBC 8), SRC 1 of the CPP-NPA-SMRC while reinforcing the beleaguered troops of 28th IB onboard the Elf truck that was land mined, he said.
The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes. At about 10:45 p.m. on the same day, another one Platoon of 67th IB cleared the road from Maitum area of that same province to the encounter site and linked-up with the Scout Platoon at location of the land mined Elf truck, he said.
“All of the troops are still in the area to prevent or thwart any hostile plan of the enemy to go to the center of the community,” Capt. Lamosao added.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement, commanding general of the 10th “Agila” Division condemned anew the harassments by the NPAs.
This post has been compressed, for the original article - AFP troops deter harassment of communities by NPA units - Manila Bulletin
30 percent of Marawi City cleared of booby traps, IEDs
Soldiers have already cleared 30 percent of the battle zones of Marawi City from booby traps and other improvised explosive devices (IED) planted by Maute gunmen.Maj. Gen. Arnold Rafael Depakakibo, the chief engineer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the clearing operation was being undertaken as part of the rehabilitation process of the affected areas of Marawi City which was devastated by five months of gun battle.
The military’s Joint Engineer Task Group (JETG) is continuing with its rehabilitation efforts in the city.
“The JETG continues its main mission of clearing explosives completing around 30 percent of the whole most affected area,” said Depakakibo.
Military data disclosed that as of December 15, a total of 2,853 assorted unexploded ordnance and 415 improvised explosive devices were recovered by the JETG.
The JETG, he said, is being assisted by Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Company and K-9 Teams from the Philippine Army and Philippines Air Force.
Depakakibo said the JETG also completed the clearing of more or less 20 kilometers primary and secondary roads, three major bridges, a school, and three places of worship immediately after the liberation of Marawi.
As a result, the official said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was able to conduct timely post-conflict needs assessment in Marawi City.
“We also continue our limited construction support to government agencies involved in supporting the maintenance of evacuation centers,” said Depakakibo.
Aside from construction support, the JETG also assisted the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in the construction of 500 temporary shelters for the evacuees.
More than 500 military engineers are currently deployed in Marawi City as part of the JETG. The task group is supporting the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation operations being led by Task Force Bangon Marawi.
This post has been compressed, for the original article - 30 percent of Marawi City cleared of booby traps, EID's - Manila Bulletin
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