41st IB is an attack dog of big mining interests in Abra; 2 Soldiers killed, 1 wounded in December 16, 2008 Lacub firefightDIEGO WADAGAN
Spokesperson
Agustin Begnalen Command
December 20, 2008
Elements of the 41st IB Bravo and Charlie Coys occupied strategic ridges above the small-scale mining communities of Pacoc and Buneg in Lacub, Abra during the early hours of December 16, 2008. Their immediate target was Mt. Bumurayok, the biggest and most productive small-scale mining area in Lacub. At 9:00 AM, a 40-man platoon led by Lt. Goway swooped down towards the rice fields, forcing frightened farmers to abandon their chores and flee for safety. The 41st IB is a notorious human rights violator.
A small NPA platoon conducting mass work in the area positioned itself for active defense. At 12:30 pm, a 30-minute firefight ensued . The NPA guerillas, though greatly outnumbered, outfought the soldiers through their mastery of terrain, discipline and guerilla tactics. Initial reports indicate two soldiers were killed and another was wounded. The NPA guerillas safely withdrew without any casualty. The 41st IB secretly transported its casualties out of the battle area that night.
As expected, the 41st IB released a statement denying any casualties. Its psy-war experts concocted a story that the 41st IB operated in Lacub at the request of small-scale miners, and that it was the NPA that picked up a fight only to run away. Once again the 41st IB is caught in its own web of lies. First, the masses in the area cherish the NPA and see them as protectors against abusive soldiers and criminals. Second, it was the 41st IB that fled the fight. At 5:00 PM on December 18, 2008, a stay-behind unit of the 41st IB hastily abandoned its position unmindful of cliffs and other natural dangers, for fear of being annihilated by a maneuvering NPA unit. They detained seven civilians and used them as human shields in their cowardly retreat. They also set fire to the pine forest to prevent the NPA unit from closing in.
The 41st IB is a willing attack dog of the big mining interests in Abra. Previously, when the people of Baay-Licuan rose in protest against the entry of the Pacific-Olympus-AMIC large scale mining project, the 41st IB quickly responded and relocated its headquarters to Baay-Licuan, and stationed both its Bravo ang Charlie Coys in the municipality. The 41st IB acts as security guard and goon of Pacific-Olympus-AMIC and is bent on quelling opposition to large-scale mining.
And now, the 41st IB is at it again in Lacub. We challenge the 41st IB to present the alleged request by the people of Lacub for military operations in the small-scale mining areas. It is humiliating for the 41st IB to be defeated in battle by a greatly outnumbered NPA force, and to resort to such cowardly tactics as using human shields and burning valuable pine forests to cover their retreat. It is truly pathetic for them to cast a web of lies to cover up for their defeat and their criminal servitude to big mining interests in Abra.
Back to top
|
