Philippine military deter NPA harassments, and Marawi City 30 percent cleared from IED's

AFP troops deter harassment of communities by NPA units

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

Philippine Navy patrol ship aids LPA-battered towns in Davao Oriental

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday announced that one of its patrol ships, the BRP Magat Salamat (PS-20), has delivered 52 tons of assorted relief goods to low pressure area (LPA) battered towns of Cateel and Baganga in Davao Oriental.

Ensign Herlijk F. Gregorio, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao spokesperson, said this aid was immediately forwarded to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao for distribution to the affected residents.

At least 186,543 families or 895,572 persons were likewise affected by the LPA in 846 barangays in 15 provinces of Regions 10, 11, CARAGA, and ARMM.

Of the total affected, 55,501 families or 260,478 persons were displaced and served in 585 evacuation centers.

Twenty seven areas were placed under state of calamity, including Agusan Del Norte, Lanao Del Norte, Iligan City, Kapalong, Carmen, Asuncion, New Corella, and Tagum City - all in Davao Del Norte; Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel, and Boston - all in Davao Oriental; Sta. Josefa, Sibagat, Bunawan, San Francisco, Esperanza, Veruela, Trento, and Rosario in Agusan del Sur; Butuan City; and Lianga, Tago, San Miguel, and Bislig in Surigao del Sur.


Estimated cost of damage was pegged at P369,142,178.22, with P128,513,750 to infrastructure and P240,628,428.22 to agriculture.

Article Source: PNA

Military increases visibility in Davao Or. to prevent shooting incidents

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental -- The military has increased its visibility in the communities in this east coast province of the Davao Region to prevent the occurrence of shooting incidents that already claimed the lives of several people, including media practitioners.

Col. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade, said the soldiers will support all efforts of the police to keep communities safe and maintain sustainable peace.

He issued the statement after several members of the local media expressed fear for their lives following the killing of Nestor Libaton, a radio announcer of Catholic-run DXHM in Mati City, last week.

“We are here, together with the police, not only to maintain peace and security in the province, but also to share with you the precautionary measures that you can use for your own safety and security,” Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, members of the local media here urged authorities to give them training to protect themselves from experiencing the fate of Libaton.

Fr. Roland Sayman, a member of the local clergy and a media practitioner, conveyed his desire to undergo training on self-defense to protect him from any assault.

He deplored the killing of Libaton, whom colleagues described as a mild-mannered broadcaster who never discussed hard-hitting issues on air.

“We are hopeful that threats on our fellow journalists will be handled knowing that our law enforcers are with us. May the justice of our fallen brothers be attained soon,” Sayman said.

Sr. Supt. Perpetou Macion, director of the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the local police is establishing the identity of the two perpetrators whose respective composite facial profiles were described by witnesses.

He said several angles are being pursued in the killing of Libaton.

Macion said police are also looking for possible clues in the personal life of the victim that might have led to his murder.

He also urged other media practitioners with death threats to coordinate with authorities. 

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Philippine News Agency InterAksyon.Com | May 15, 2012 | Article Link

No red tagging, harassment of Benedictine nun: Army

THE Philippine Army in Davao Oriental denied Tuesday accusations hurled against them by environmentalist groups that they harassed and tagged a Benedictine nun as member of the New People's Army (NPA).

The soldiers brought with them some barangay leaders to back up their denial.

In the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police (AFP/PNP) press conference at Task Force Davao (TFD) headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Leopoldo Imbang, commander of the Army's 28th Infantry Battalion, described the accusation as "just intrigues and all lies" to mislead the people who have supported the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the government.

"In my experience as battalion commander and former junior officer, such deceptions, lies, intrigues, and propaganda have been always there. It never changes. It is obvious naman that these groups are just sowing intrigues, mas mabuti sana na alamin muna natin ang katotohanan before we jump into conclusions," Imbang said.

He said government troops are actually grateful and supportive on the advocacy of Sr. Stella Matutina for environment protection, and that none of them accused her as member of the communist group.

First Lieutenant Hermie V. Montelibano, Civil Military Office (CMO) chief of the 28th IB, said he vehemently denied the same accusations, adding he never said a word against the nun.

He said the issue started when the barangay officials invited the 28th IB in an assembly to discuss Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) of the Army in the area. 

"Along the discussion with the barangay officials, nihangyo si sister na muistorya siya, so we gave her the floor to speak. But we were surprised because what she wanted is to remove the troops in the area," Montelibano said.

"The barangay officials answered them back and told them that there was a resolution for us to remain and continue our PDOP in the area. After she talked in front of us, I even thanked her for their advocacy. I didn't say anything against them," Montelibano said.

Three barangay officials from Lupon in Davao Oriental echoed the same sentiment with the soldiers. 

Emelita Gastardo, barangay councilman of San Isidro in Lupon, said they never heard any Army official in the area accusing Sr. Matutina as NPA member.

"We are there. We know the agenda of the barangay officials with the 28th IB, and I can assure that Sir Montelibano and Sir Lingat did not say anything against them. It was Sis. Matutina and the groups, who insisted that issue," village chief Arlene Luzon, of Lantawan in Lupon, said.

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SunStar.Com.Ph | May 8, 2012 | Article Link