Philippine Army: One of the first responders in 'Yolanda' disaster

Aside from its usual national security role, the Philippine Army was among the first responders or agencies that gave prompt assistance to the people of Tacloban City, Leyte and other parts of the Visayas who were severely affected by the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" last Nov. 8.

According to Capt. Anthony Bacus, Army spokesperson, the PA deployed 155 military vehicles and 4,000 soldiers to render humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts in Tacloban and other typhoon-affected areas.

He said that major units coming from the 10th and 4th Infantry Divisions based in Mindanao sent battalions of carpenter-soldiers to help rebuild schools, hospitals and other government buildings severely damaged by the super typhoon.

Bacus added that water search and rescue (WASAR)– capable and collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR)– capable teams from the 525th Engineering Battalion were also deployed to Tacloban.

Troopers from the 48th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division; 80th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Special Forces Battalion were also sent as augmentation forces.

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Another Top NPA member falls in Nueva Ecija

Brgy Digmala, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija—Four New People’s Army (NPA) members, remnants of the insurgency free provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora, were killed in a five-minute fire fight after firing at government forces at Sitio Tamale Thursday 9 p.m. here.

One of the killed NPA members was identified as Benjamin Peralta alias gani/otoy/onil, was usually called as the “Secretary” or the highest ranking leader in terms of maintaining the ideological capacity of the said NPA unit. Also killed is a certain alias Sara.

Recovered, by troops of the 81st Infantry Battalion under 1Lt Saturnino Enofre from the encounter site were, one M16 rifle, one Carbine rifle, one cal. .45 pistol, two improvised explosive device, two fragmentation grenades, food stuffs, assorted medicines and documents with high intelligence value.

Troops are still scouring the area. Soldiers in the area are now coordinating with local government units and agencies for the identification of the other two and disposition of the dead NPA members who were left behind by their comrades.

Bgen Alan R Luga, Commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division said, “This is definitely another big blow in their leadership and organization. Your Army here in Central Luzon will make sure that armed groups will be unable to use force to threaten our citizens.”

“While we conduct focused military operations, the government is ready for the influx of NPA members joining mainstream society,” added Luga.

It was in February 6 when 7ID’s 48th Infantry Battalion had major encounter with the same NPA remnant unit. Government troops were fired upon by the NPA which resulted to the death of Antonio Layco alias Berto and Remy Huego alias Russel and the recovery of an M16 rifle with an M203 grenade launcher, an M14 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher and documents of high intelligence value. Berto is the highest ranking leader in terms of running the armed component of the remnant NPA unit. Russel was second in command.

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7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army | ‎09 March 2012 | Article Link

2 suspected NPAs killed in Quirino clash

Two suspected communist rebels were killed following with government security forces in Quirino province in northern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said Monday. 

Citing field reports, Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto of the Army's 7th Infantry Division, said the clash erupted at 9:18 a.m. when patrolling troops from the 48th Infantry Battalion chanced upon an undetermined number of suspected New People's Army rebels at Sitio Sibbagan in Barangay Landingan in Nagtipunan town.

The operating troops also recovered two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher and documents the military described as having "high intelligence value."

No casualties were reported on the government side. 

"They have been on the run for several days now. They are the same group which we hit last year and suffered the same losses," Ileto said, quoting Col. Felicito Trinidad, commanding officer of the Army's 702nd Brigade.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The outlawed group will be observing its 43rd founding anniversary on March 29. 

Peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have remained stalled since August 2004.  — RSJ, GMA News
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February 6, 2012 5:11pm
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