THE NEW PEOPLE’S Army (NPA) launched a series of armed actions across the country in the past few weeks.

Agu­san del Nor­te. On September 18, at around 3:40 p.m., the NPA detonated an explosive against operating troops of the 23rd IB in Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista. Three soldiers were killed while four were wounded.

On the same day, at 5:24 a.m., the NPA fired at police officers stationed at Barangay San Mateo, Butuan City. PO1 Ritchel Gulandreno was wounded in action.

On September 15, two soldiers were killed in an armed encounter between the NPA-Agusan del Norte and operating troops of the 23rd IB along the Minpayaw Creek in Sitio Bulak, Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista, at around 2 p.m. On the next day, two more soldiers were killed in another encounter that took place in the same barangay at around 3 p.m.

Bu­kid­non. The NPA-Bukidnon attacked an AFP operating unit in Purok 3, Barangay San Rafael, Talakag on September 16. A soldier was killed while ten others were wounded.

Mi­sa­mis Ori­en­tal. The NPA-Misamis Oriental harassed a detachment of the 58th IB-CAFGU in Palo, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria.

Sout­he­ast Neg­ros. On September 15, the NPA-Southeast Negros under the Rachelle Mae Palang Command (RMPC) mounted a punitive action against H.N., a quarrying company owned by Hayney and Nestor Lim conducting destructive operations in Sitio Major, Barangay Cawitan, Sta. Catalina.
The NPA disarmed the security guards and burned the backhoe and payloader of the said company.

Ka Estrella Banagbanag, spokesperson of the RMPC, said that the aforementioned action was a response to the demands of the people. A research by the RMPC reveals that deep dredging activities of the said company along Cawitan River has already claimed the lives of at least seven residents.

Ca­ma­ri­nes Sur. On September 6, at 12:30 a.m., the NPA-West Camarines Sur harassed a detachment of the 22nd IB-CAFGU in Sitio Dinumpilan, Barangay Malinao, Libmanan. A CAFGU member was killed in action.

On August 14, at around 6 a.m., a certain PFC Espiritu was killed while another CAFGU element was wounded in an ambush launched by the NPA in Barangay Cambalidio, Libmanan. The Red fighters also harassed the same detachment on July 27.

On August 10 in Barangay Veneracion, Pamplona, the NPA fired at armed elements of the Military Intelligence Company (MICO) of the 9th ID which was operating together with three former Red fighters including a certain “Boris.” One of them was killed. The said group is responsible for the murders of Danilo Abunin Sr. and Danilo Abunin Jr. on August 26, at around 5 a.m., in the said barangay.

On July 20, at around 10 a.m., PFC Jhony Franco, who was then aboard a motorcycle, was killed in an ambush mounted by the NPA in the same barangay. Franco was an element of the MICO. A .45 caliber pistol, magazine, and various intelligence documents were seized from him.

Sor­so­gon. The NPA-Sorsogon fired at a detachment of the Alpha Coy 31st IB in Barangay Casay, Casiguran on August 28, at around 8 p.m. An hour earlier, the Red fighters also fired at the 22nd IB-CAFGU camp in Sitio Bungsaran, Barangay Rizal, Gubat.
On September 2, at around 2 p.m., the NPA fired at a company of the 31st IB operating in Sitio Lokot, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Barcelona.