13 Victorious tactical offensives launched in Southern Tagalog!
In the spirit of all-out resistance against the US-Estrada regime's Oplan Makabayan and advancing guerrilla war to a new and higher level, the NPA launched in 1999 in five provinces in the Southern Tagalog region seven raids, one ambush, two sparrow operations and one special tactical offensive. From these offensives, the NPA reaped 25 high-caliber firearms, one M72-A2 (anti-tank weapon) and 22 short arms. The NPA also confiscated communications equipment, punished a police official and captured two officers of the AFP and PNP. The most important key to the victory of each tactical offensive was the support of a broad and deep mass base that continues to cherish the NPA and rejoices in each of its triumphs.
January 7. An NPA platoon raided the PNP detachment at Barangay Pagbahan, Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro. One M16 rifle and one cal .45 pistol was confiscated. A wounded policeman was brought to the hospital after which the detachment was burned to the ground. After three days, an NPA blocking force thwarted the advance of the enemy's reinforcement troops. A Red fighter was wounded in the firefight but the comrades were nonetheless able to retreat safely. The punitive action against police forces who were active instruments of the despotic big landlord Abeleda was a success.
February. The NPA punished the JAC Liner Company for refusing to pay the appropriate revolutionary tax. An NPA team burned a JAC Liner bus. A cal .45 pistol was also confiscated from a policeman aboard the bus.
February 13. The NPA raided Metro Manila Development Authority chief Jejomar Binay's ranch in Barangay Bayawang, Rosario, eastern Batangas. The BHB disarmed Binay's private army and security guards who harassed workers and residents of the ranch and surrounding areas. The raid also served as punishment to Binay who refused to pay revolutionary taxes.
Two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, two shotguns, three grenades, three rifle grenades, one 9 mm, one cal .380 pistol, two cal .38 pistols, ammunition and other equipment were confiscated.
May 6. A seven-man NPA unit raided the house of Captain Abarrientos of the Philippine Army in Pangil, Laguna. Through a ruse, the NPA was able to enter Abarrientos' house at around 7:00 in the evening upon confirming that the official was not around. Three Garand rifles and a baby M16 rifle were confiscated without a single shot being fired. Before leaving, the comrades explained matters to the family and others who were around and warned against gun-owners who abuse the masses.
May 14. At 8:00 in the evening, an NPA squad raided Navy Captain Togonon's unguarded bunkhouse at Sitio Absukot, Barangay Tubili, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro. The comrades confiscated a baby M16 rifle, ammunition, a baby chainsaw and a cal .45 pistol magazine without meeting any resistance. This was punitive action taken against a syndicate of pirates who victimized people from Paluan to Lubang Island.
June 10. At around 8:40 in the morning, an NPA squad ambushed five goons serving despotic landlord Ding Quintos at Sityo Kasuy, Barangay Balansay, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. The goons were responsible for killing and evicting farmers from lands being grabbed by Quintos. The NPA confiscated one carbine, one shotgun and one cal .38 revolver.
June 15. A six-man NPA team punished Barangay Capt. Max Lemeta of Barrio Calayo and his three companions in Barangay Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas. One 9 mm pistol and a magazine were confiscated from them. The four were responsible for abducting and salvaging peasant leaders opposing their eviction from Hacienda Looc, Nasugbu. | The most important key to the victory of each tactical offensive was the support of a broad and deep mass base that continues to cherish the NPA and rejoices in each of its triumphs. |
July 6. A special tactical offensive involving the entrapment of Army Maj. Noel Buan, intelligence chief of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), was succesfully undertaken. Buan was captured and swiftly spirited away from Laguna. His capture remained confidential until he was declared a prisoner of war in the first week of December.
October 11. An NPA platoon launched a punitive operation in two adjacent barrios infested by notorious elements. The NPA proceeded to Barangay Matipunso, San Antonio, Quezon and found the target barangay captain and his son. Believing the ruse that the comrades were soldiers conducting an inspection, father and son voluntarily showed their cal .45 and 9 mm pistols. They later brought out their M16 and M14 rifles and a cal .38 pistol after the comrades were compelled to introduce themselves as NPA. An M1 carbine, a 9 mm pistol and two communication radios were also confiscated.
October 22. A six-man NPA team punished P/Insp. Leodecario Turno, chief of police of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro while he was on his way to his station. A cal .45 was confiscated from him.
October 30. An NPA squad raided the compound of Keangnam Construction Company, a Korean company in Sta. Rosa, Mulanay, Quezon, for refusing to pay taxes according to the rules of the people�s democratic government. Eleven trucks and other construction equipment were burned. Office equipment were also confiscated.
November 1. A 12-man NPA team attacked the PNP station at Pola, Oriental mindoro at around 8:00 in the evening. Immediately confiscated from the armory were two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle and one anti-tank weapon (M72-A2). Also seized by the NPA were two cal .45 pistols, one cal .38 pistol, one 9 mm pistol, ammunition and a magazine, one VHF base radio, one colored TV, two typewriters and other military equipment.
November 3. In a surprise attack, an undersized NPA platoon raided the police station at Dolores, Quezon. Comrades immediately played a ruse on P/Chief Insp. Abelardo Martin, who was armed with a pistol. The police chief and his two other men were disarmed while other weapons and military equipment were being seized. The NPA was able to control the town within 10 minutes as soon as other elements of the platoon assumed their respective assignments. The NPA captured Martin.
Confiscated from this raid were five M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, two 9 mm, four cal .38 pistols, four rifle grenades, ammunition, two base radios (HF and VHF), one VHF handheld radio, one colored TV and other military equipment.
From a report of the Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command
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