BY MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
BUTUAN CITY – Troops of the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion (29th IB) foiled an attempt by the New People’s Army (NPA) to torch an irrigation construction site after engaging them in a firefight in Barangay Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday, the military reported on Thursday.
Based on reports, the soldiers immediately conducted combat patrol upon receiving reports from concerned villagers about the presence of an undetermined number of NPA rebels in their targeted areas.
The armed men were believed to be members of SYP16-A of Guerilla Front 16 (GF16) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
“It is significant to note that five villagers hail from the same barangay of Baleguian where the arson attempt by the NPA was made,” 29th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer 1st Lt. Edmar C. Colagong said.
After a five-minute gunfight, the NPA rebels reportedly fled, leaving their personal stuff and container with gasoline that they were supposed to use for arson.
No one was hurt on the government side while several rebels reportedly suffered injuries.
The encounter site was a few meters away from the site of an irrigation project intended for the Baleguian Farmers Irrigators Association (BOFIA), an organization formerly influenced by communist terrorist group which already cut its ties and denounced the NPA.
Initial investigation revealed that extortion could be the motive for the arson attempt.
As of press time, soldiers are conducting pursuit operations. (Mike Crismundo)
