The New People’s Army (NPA)-Mindoro (Lucio de Guzman Command) clashed and inflicted casualties to the 76th IB operating troops in Sitio Balite, Barangay Lumangbayan, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro at around 11 a.m. on November 26. At least two 76th IB soldiers were killed, while many were reportedly wounded.

The NPA-Mindoro reported that the firefight lasted only ten minutes. NPA-Mindoro spokesperson Ka Madaay Gasic said that the Red fighters opened fire and engaged the 76th IB. The unit also withdrew safely and systematically after the battle, he said.

Their casualties prompted the 76th IB soldiers to run amuck and fire their guns indiscriminately until past noon. They also spread lies that encounter casualties were NPA-Mindoro members.

As in the usual modus of units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in any part of the country, the 76th IB hamletted the community. It controlled the activities of residents, conducted illegal arrests of civilians, and prohibited the residents of Barangay Lumangbayan, Udalo, and neighboring barangays from leaving. The residents of those barangays were also forcibly evacuated.

Ka Madaay said the incident once again exposed the lies of the 2nd ID and the 203rd IBde that the NPA-Mindoro is decimated. In truth, the NPA across the entire island of Mindoro remains a thorn in the throat of the bloodthirsty AFP, which protects the ruling class and big businesses.

“This is firm testimony that the people’s true army will never run out of determination to fight,” Ka Madaay declared.