The New People’s Army (NPA) in Masbate province inflicted 14 casualties among attacking government troopers in a firefight in Uson town last November 22, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced.
A unit of the Jose Rapsing Command (JRC) of the NPA foiled a raid by the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, killing seven and injuring another seven, the CCP said on its website.
“NPA-Masbate was able to prepare and defend against the enemy who were attacking their temporary encampment in Sitio Pile, Barangay San Jose. Contrary to the military’s claim that the gunfight lasted 20 minutes, it only lasted 5 minutes because the soldiers scampered away after fired upon by the Red warriors,” the CPP said.
The group added that civilians reported that some of the killed soldiers were loaded onto carabaos by their comrades in an attempt to hide their casualties.
The firefight happened after a Philippine Army raid in Barangay Cancahorao, Baleno town last November 20 where it captured an injured alleged NPA member named “Leon.”
The 9th Infantry Division (9ID) said Leon was given first aid on the site where he was “found” and was later airlifted to a government hospital for treatment.
The JRC denied it left its injured fighter on his own, saying Leon got separated during retreat maneuvers
The 9ID was silent on its casualties as reported by the CPP on the November 22 incident.
Mindoro, Albay clashes
Meanwhile, the Lucio de Guzman Command (NPA-Mindoro) also claimed victory in an “active defense” encounter in Sitio Camilian, Barangay Bugtong na Tuog, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro last November 18.
Two government soldiers were killed while several others were injured among the attacking troopers of the 76th and 203rd infantry brigades of the Philippine Army, the CPP said.
The latest encounter followed a November 5 incident where six government soldiers were also killed, it added.
The Philippine Army subsequently imposed food blockades and lockdowns against civilians in the area aside from putting up a Mobile Community Support Program Operation camp in a nearby barangay, it also announced.
In Albay, a unit of the Santos Binamera Command (SBC) of the NPA also reported its successful defensive operation against attacking 49th IBPA troopers in barangay Matanglad, Pioduran town last Oktubre 27.
“The comrades successfully out-maneuvered the enemy while killing two and injuring another,” NPA-Albay said.
The NPA unit belied claims by Maj. Frank Roldan ng 9th IDPA that their troops were in the area to conduct its so-called Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operation.
SBC spokesperson Florante Orobia also belied Maj. Roldan’s claim that the NPA used explosives during the incident.
READ: 8 AFP soldiers, 1 NPA fighter killed in Mindanao clashes
The Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as various government agencies have predicted the “strategic defeat” of the NPA by year’s end.
Ongoing dialogues between the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to revive formal peace negotiations has so far failed to yield positive results. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
