Re-elected Masbate village chief killed in cemetery
By Alexis Romero, Celso Amo
The Philippine Star – www.philstar.com
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A re-elected barangay chairman in Masbate was gunned down while observing All Saints’ Day in a public cemetery, the military said.
Reports reaching the Army’s 9th Infantry Division said the victim, Vicente Lacbayug, chairman of Barangay Dayhagan in Aroroy town, was attacked by two men and died while being rushed to the hospital due to multiple bullet wounds from a caliber .45 pistol.
Maj. Harold Cabunoc, 9th ID spokesman, said Lacbayug had received threats from the New People’s Army (NPA) before the incident.
Cabunoc quoted a relative of Lacbayug as saying that the village official had gone into hiding before the Oct. 25 elections “because of grave threats from the NPA bandits.”
Cabunoc added that Lacbayug was forced to sign a petition against the Filminera mining firm but refused.
Lacbayug reportedly returned to his barangay prior to the elections to file his certificate of candidacy.
“We are also not sure if a political opponent is behind this killing. We are trying to identify the perpetrators through some witnesses who have now surfaced,” Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc said at least three people were killed during the barangay polls in Masbate, a perennial election hot spot.
A total of 69 villages in Masbate were declared as “category 1” hot spots or those with intense political rivalries.
On the other hand, 103 villages in the province were placed under “category 2” or areas with a strong presence of communist rebels.
Leftist Rebels kill military informant
Manila Bulletin – www.mb.com.ph
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected leftist guerillas shot dead Monday a military informant in the southern Philippines.
Regional Military Spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said Tuesday gunmen, believed to be members of the New People's Army, attacked Dencio Tejano Monday in the town of Kadingilan, Bukidnon province. Tejano sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside in the last four decades.
Rebels shoot down village chief in Masbate
Manila Bulletin – www.mb.com.ph
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The newly elected village chief in the central Philippine province of Masbate was shot dead while visiting his departed relatives in a public cemetery Monday night.
Lt. Col Anthony Purugganan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion said on Tuesday that two unidentified gunmen killed Vicente Lacbayug of Dayhagan village. Lacbayug died from multiple gunshot wounds.
A relative who requested anonymity said that Lacbayug went into hiding before elections because of grave threats from members of the left wing New People's Army.
"He was forced to sign a petition against Filminera mining firm which he refused. He just returned prior to elections to file for candidacy," the relative said.
No one can identify the perpetrators who immediately fled after the shooting.
1 killed, others hurt in NPA, tribal encounter
By Ben Serrano
The Philippine Star – www.philstar.com
Tuesday, November 02, 2010 12:00
BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – A tribesman was killed while scores were wounded when some 10 suspected New People’s Army members engaged a group of tribesmen headed by a certain Datu Bawang in a firefight on the eve of All Saints’ Day in Sitio Daldalikan Creek, Barangay Kinamaybay, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
Official report from the Caraga police regional information office identified the victim as Tata Hulasan, a member of Datu Bawang’s group.
Police and military reports claimed scores were wounded and killed on the New People’s Army side.
Police and military reports said Datu Bawang’s group was on their way when some 10 NPA rebels engaged them into a firefight which lasted for about two minutes.
The police and military report, however, did not indicate why a tribal group like Datu Bawang’s who was only on their way to their farm was armed with firearms and ammunitions as they engaged the rebel group.
Mining activities tied to Abra All Saints' Day ambush
By Artemio Dumlao
The Philippine Star – www.philstar.com
Tueday, November 02, 2010
La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines – Corporate mining’s entry in the province is being tied to last Saturday’s rebel ambuscade in remote Licuan Baay town.
The Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command who claims responsibility in the killing of Pfcs Phillip Balonggay Jr., Anofre Doca and Joel Suria and the wounding of Corporal William Gonzales, Pfcs Ronald Siazon, Eulogio Mangano, Joey Balmes and Private Celso Kelang said, the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion has been involved in “terrorizing” indigenous Tingguian communities and serving as “security escorts” of mining firms – the reason they gave for launching the ambush.
A foreign-based mining firm tied with a local company is eyeing to mine large areas in mineral rich Licuan Baay, but is meeting stiff resistance from villagers.
Earlier, at least three congressmen from the Cordillera Administrative Region called for a mining moratorium in the region at the heels of an apparent bid to protect the environment and the indigenous people. Only Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, chairman of the House Committee on National Cultural Communities; Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara, vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Works; and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog thumbed up the ban sans three other CAR congressmen that include Abra Rep. Joy Bernos.
Rebels' Misencounter Reported in Samar
By Elena L. Aben
The Manila Bulletin – www.mb.com.ph
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
SAMAR, Philippines – A member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed when a group of local Communist rebels, while making their escape after attacking a community in Samar province, exchanged fire with another group of NPAs whom they figured in a misencounter, a military report said on Monday.
Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir, 8th Infantry Division public affairs officer, said a village leader, Anthony Giray, narrowly escaped death after one of the NPA rebels shot him.
Information reaching the 8ID headquarters showed residents of Barangay Malaga, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City where roused from sleep when the bandits attacked their village at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Vestuir said based on a report from Lt. Col. Jose Narciso, commanding officer of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion based in Tinambacan Sur, Calbayog City, an undetermined number of fully-armed local Communist rebels led by one alias “Nady” raided the houses of Arturo Flor, a businessman; Eugene Nuñes, village chief; and other residents in the area.
During the atack, one of the rebels shot Giray, who managed to escape despite being wounded. He was later evacuated to Calbayog City for treatment.
The rebels established a checkpoint along the highway in the barangay, using vehicles that they flagged down to block the possible reinforcement of government troops. One truck that did not stop in the checkpoint was fired upon by the rebels causing one of its tires to explode.
Sensing that government forces from the 20IB were on its way to the area, the rebels decided to escape before they get caught. As they were leaving the area, the rebels reportedly figured in a misencounter with their other comrades who were also posted within the vicinity. Witnesses claimed the firefight lasted for about 10 minutes. They added one NPA bandit was killed while another was wounded as a result of the misencounter.
Village residents said the incident could still be related to the recently-concluded barangay and SK elections where candidates supported by the NPAs failed to win a single seat.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Mario Chan, the 8ID commander, said the attack was another desperate move by the NPAs to divert the attention of government forces on the ongoing combat operations.
He said the Communist rebels have resorted to attacking innocent civilians whom they consider as soft targets in order to project an image of strength and that they are still a force to reckon with. But Chan said the conduct of operations of the 8ID has severely degraded the capabilities of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
"The recent discovery of twenty CPP/NPA encampments, their arms and war materiel caches, their stock of food supplies, their communications equipment, medical facilities and other items have severely crippled their revolutionary activities," said Chan.
Tribesman killed in gunbattle with NPAs in Agusan del Sur
By Mike U. Crismundo
The Manila Bulltin – www.mb.com.ph
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – A member of a tribal group was killed while an undetermined number of other New People’s Army rebels were either killed or wounded when they engaged in a fierce firefight Sunday afternoon at Sitio Daldalikan Creek, Barangay Kinamaybay in Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur province.
Initial report received at Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) regional headquarters here, identified the slain tribesman as a certain Tata Hulasan.
A field report coming from Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO) and Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS) stated that the group of a certain “Datu Bawang” were on their way to their farmlands when they encountered members of the communist-Front Committee 88 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao regional Party Committee (NEMRC).
The gunbattle started at around 2 0’clock in the afternoon.
Field reports also bared that the fire fight lasted for almost 15 minutes before the rebels withdrew to a nearby forested mountain of Semuntana and Calabuan.
Further, an undetermined number of rebels were also believed severely hit during the firefight.
A hot pursuit operation against the fleeing rebels is still ongoing as of press time.
Brig. Gen. Emiliano Gupana, commanding general of the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade and Chief Supt. Reynaldo Rafal, regional director of PRO 13 already dispatched their respective field units to beef up the forces in the battle area.
On the other hand, elements of Esperanza MPS also conducted check points along the possible escape route of the fleeing rebels.
Armed tribesmen, leftist rebels clash in S. Philippines, 1 killed
The Manila Bulletin – www.mb.com.ph
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - One person was killed when armed tribesmen clashed with suspected leftist rebels in southern Philippines over the weekend, police said Monday.
The incident happened Monday afternoon when members of the Manobo tribe under a certain Datu (Chieftain) Bawang were ambushed by at least ten gunmen believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Kinamaybay village, Esperanza town, in Mindanao region's Agusan del Sur province, said Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal, regional police chief.
The tribesmen were on their way to their farms when the leftist guerrillas fired at them, sparking a brief firefight that killed tribesman Tata Hulasan, Rafal said, adding the rebels then fled towards the nearby village of Calabuan and authorities have yet to determine if the NPA suffered casualties.
Philippine army and police have frequently used the services of armed tribesmen in their counter-insurgency operations in the region, making the tribal communities unsympathetic to the rebels a vulnerable target to NPA attacks and reprisals.
3 soldiers dead in Abra ambush
By Artemio Dumlao
The Philippine Star – www.philstar.com
Sunday, October 31, 2010
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Three soldiers were killed while three others suffered injuries when communist guerrillas waylaid them in remote Licuan-Baay town in Abra early yesterday morning.
The soldiers, belonging to the Abra-based 41st Infantry Battalion, were part of a 10-man team coming from road security duty that was attacked in Barangay Bunglo.
Reinforcing government troops aboard two military trucks and an armored personnel carrier were also ambushed in the area an hour later.
3 soldiers killed, 3 wounded in N. Philippine ambush
The Manila Bulletin – www.mb.com.ph
Sunday, October 31, 2010
BANGUED, Philippines (Xinhua) - Three government troopers were killed while three others were injured after local rebels ambushed a military truck in remote Licuan-Baay town in Abra province of northern Philippines on Saturday.
The three army troopers from the Abra-based 41st Infantry Battalion were shot dead immediately and the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, said Leon Talleo, spokesman of Cordillera police.
Government troops are now tracking down the ambushers in the hinterlands of Licuan Baay town and nearby towns in Abra and expect more skirmishes as rebels are very active in this part of the region.
Earlier, Diego Wadagan, speaking on behalf of the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army denounced government military troopers for hiding behind the cloak of relief operations to launch attacks against rebels in Tineg, Lacub and Malibcong, all upland Abra towns.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades. Military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country.
Quezon police repulse NPA rebel ambush
By Roselle R. Aquino
The Manila Times – www.manilatimes.net
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna: Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police director Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. on Monday commended the San Andres Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Quezon province for successfully repulsing an ambush staged by communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Sunday.
Pagdilao particularly lauded San Andres MPS chief Senior Insp. Glenn Miralles for leading his men in mounting a counter-ambush after they were waylaid by more or less 40 fully armed NPA rebels in Sitio Dao, Barangay Talisay, San Andres, killing one communist terrorist in the process.
Pagdilao said that about 2 p.m. Sunday, while Miralles and his men were on their way back to the police station—from routine election security operations in Barangay Talisay on board a Toyota Hi-Lux patrol car (SJH-295) and a red 4x4 pickup—they were ambushed by the rebels using a landmine and high-powered firearms.
Miralles and his men managed to fire back and by using counter-ambush drills, they repulsed the attacking terrorists. The body of a dead rebel still unidentified at this time.
The encounter also resulted in the wounding of two policemen, identified as Senior Police Officer 1 Paterno Arabis, 48, married, and Police Officer 2 Timoteo Reyes, 28, both of Barangay Poblacion, San Andres town. Doctors at Lucena United Doctors Hospital in Lucena City where they were taken, declared them out of danger.
During the firefight, Miralles and two of his men, Police Officer 1 Arvin Sayson and Police Officer 1 Christopher Ecaro, were separated from the rest of the team and were unaccounted for several hours.
Thinking they were captured, Police Senior Supt. Ericson Talavera, Quezon Provincial police director, and the 74th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army mounted search and pursuit operation.
However, by 5:30 p.m. Sunday, eight members of the San Andres police station, composed of Police Officer 2 Leonardo Tolentino, Police Officer 1 Manuel Manicad, Police Officer 1 Paulo Erico Manicad, Police Officer 1 Jerome Mingo, Police Officer 1 Jay Anthony Custodio, Police Officer 1 Iann Paul Sorono, and the two wounded policemen, have safely returned to the police station.
At about 7 a.m. Monday, all operatives involved in the encounter, including Miralles and two others, who were earlier reported to be missing in action, were all accounted for.
In relation to the incident, Pagdilao alerted all provincial directors, chiefs-of-police and company commanders of Provincial Public Safety Company in the entire region to beef up their defenses and take extra precaution while conducting security coverage for the 2010 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday.
