While hundreds of thousands were devastated by the floods and landslides in Bicol and other parts of the country, a unit of the 49th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) went on combat operations yesterday morning in Barangay Matanglad, Pio Duran town, Albay. This operation led to an encounter with a unit of the New People’s Army between five and six in the morning, which resulted in at least one soldier wounded in action.

The fascist soldiers tried to use the inclement weather conditions as cover for their attempted raid against the position of the NPA unit, but were tipped off by people in the area who alerted the NPA fighters in the area. The quick response of the NPA to the AFP combat operation allowed them to effectively and actively defend themselves, and swiftly disengage from the encounter.

The AFP is manipulating reports for press mileage when it claimed that the soldiers were transporting relief goods in the area, when, in fact, they were fully armed, carrying only their weapons and ready to engage in battle.

People in the area confirm that there were zero relief operations in the barangay or town, belying claims made by the AFP. This was echoed by local barangay officials who said their barangay was not affected by the floods. The town mayor also confirmed that the AFP conducted a combat operation based on a “tip.”