NPA overruns Gangal detachment in Sallapadan, AbraMay 8, 2008
Diego Wadagan
Spokesperson
Agustin Begnalen Command
Red Guerrillas under the NPA's Agustin Begnalen Command in Abra attacked and overran the detachment in Gangal, Sallapadan, Abra on June 7 as a punitive action against soldiers of the 503rd brigade and elements of the CAFGU-CPLA.
The raid began on 5:30 a.m. and the detachment was overran after 6.5 hours of fierce fighting, as it was well-entrenched, heavily fortified, and occupied superior terrain. The offensive was launched to punish the fascist troops notorious for human rights violations and sowing fear and terror especially in Sallapadan town since 2004. The tactical offensive is also a punitive action against AFP units serving as security forces for big mining companies operating or planning to operate in the province.
As part of the overall effort to defeat Oplan Bantay Laya 2, the offensive launched by NPA-Abra has proven once again the heightened fighting will and capability of the people's army. The raid in Gangal detachment yielded two high powered rifles, voluminous documents, and important logistics. An estimated ten CAFGU-CPLA and army soldiers were wounded. CAA Bolleza was wounded and captured and was subsequently released. Three were killed and several were wounded on the side of the NPA guerrillas.
PNP personnel from the nearby Municipal Hall and PNP-MPS were forced to defend their positions, instead of reinforcing the beleaguered detachment. Other AFP/PNP troops and CAFGU/CPLA did not reinforce the Gangal detachment. Nearby troops from Lamao, Bucloc; from the Alpha Company HQ in San Ramon, Manabo; from the 503rd Bde HQ in Sulvec, Narvacan and Barbarit, Langangilang; and from Bangued, the capital town, did not come to the aid of the beleaguered detachment.
Indiscriminate bombing and strafing sorties by helicopters and fighter jets began at 12:30 p.m., after the detachment was overran and NPA guerrillas had already retreated. The NPA guerrillas strictly adhered to international rules and conventions of war and to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The captured CAA James Bolleza was provided medical attention before he was released.
At the height of the raid, the NPA conducted a dialogue with the civilians from nearby Poblacion. The NPA explained the objectives of the attack and the revolutionary movement's guiding principles and programs.
The NPA pays its highest tribute and Red salute to the martyrdom of Melito "Ka Basbas" Tabaday, Anderson "Ka Tarzan" Simangen, and Edies "Ka Maso" Casay. They gallantly led the assault, fully aware of the grave danger to their lives. Their shining example will always inspire the Red guerrillas and revolutionary masses of Abra.
The AFP and PNP will surely launch pursuit operations and terrorize the masses in retaliation. The 5th ID will definitely deploy troops from various battalions and air and artillery support units under its command and conduct massive military operations; will launch massive counter-propaganda and civil-military operations to vilify the NPA and the entire revolutionary movement. The people of Abra should heighten their vigilance against human rights violations by the military, even as the Agustin Begnalen Command prepares to further frustrate the AFP/PNP's counter-offensives.
The true people's army is capable of launching more annihilative and attritive attacks due to the ever-widening and deepening support of the masses and the heightened fighting will and capability of the NPA. On the other hand, fascist military institutions, though superior in armaments and numbers, can be defeated in battles because they fight for the interests of the few ruling classes in the Arroyo regime, and the big mining companies operating and planning to operate in the province. #
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