Victorious NPA offensives
Soldiers ambushed in Capiz
The sergeant team leader of a nine-man squad of the 12th IB undertaking a "recon" patrol was killed when the New People's Army (NPA) ambushed his unit in Barangay Abangay in Tapaz, Capiz on July 31. Another soldier was also wounded.
The soldiers are notorious for their abusiveness. A day before the ambush, the team confiscated seven dug-out canoes owned by peasants which they planned to sell in Roxas City.
NPA seizes 7 rifles in Camarines Sur raid
Seven M16s were confiscated when the NPA attacked the police outpost in Cabusao, Camarines Sur on July 25. Two 9 mm's, a VHF radio, magazines, ammunition and other military equipment were likewise seized. A policeman was killed and another wounded in the 15-minute firefight.
According to correspondence reports, the NPA was able to retreat safely even before enemy reinforcements could arrive. The Red fighters were cheerfully welcomed by the masses because of their successful tactical offensive.
NPA ambushes SOT in Abra
The New People's Army (NPA) Agustin Begnalen Command in Abra ambushed a composite force of the 17th IB and the 503rd Bde that comprised a special operations team (SOT) in Sitio Tapayen, Alaoa, Tineg, Abra. A soldier was killed while another was wounded in the ambush. The SOT was presently launching "Oplan Alaoa" when it was ambushed.
According to a statement by NPA-Abra spokesperson Ka Diego Wadagan, they punished the 17th IB because it served as a private army of the Benwaren family, a clan of warlordpoliticians that has long ruled Tineg. The 17th IB "carries out terrorist attacks against people who do not agree with warlordism in Tineg," said Ka Diego. Ever since Oplan Alaoa was launched in March, 10 peasants accused of being NPA members have been charged with arson in relation to the burning down of a resort owned by the Benwaren family in November 2002.
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