Army considers 2 hinterland towns in North Cotabato ‘problematic’

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Two hinterland towns in North Cotabato are considered by the Philippine Army as ‘problematic’ or ‘very challenging’ in terms of terrain and alleged ‘support’ that the communist guerillas are getting from the communities, a military spokesperson said.First Lieutenant Prolen Bonacua, spokesperson for the Army’s 19thInfantry Battalion, identified these areas as towns of Arakan and Magpet, both in North Cotabato.The towns of Arakan, Magpet, President Roxas, and the city of Kidapawan, all in North Cotabato, are the newest places of assignment of the 19thIB of the 901stBrigade, which was deployed in the province early last month.The 19thIB’s previous assignment were the provinces of Samar and Leyte in the Visayas region.Bonacua admitted the NPAs operating in those areas ‘enjoy’ the support of the communities, some of them are even officials of the barangays. But this won’t stop us from pursuing our intentions to rid these areas of the communist guerillas. We will pursue, and even intensify, military offensives against these groups, said Bonacua.Aside from support, the NPAs are getting money from some of the traders, even government officials, as part of the rebels’ extortion activities.A week ago, soldiers from the 19thIB, on board two military vehicles, were ambushed in a remote village in Magpet, after they responded to persistent reports that the NPAs were sighted in the area.The soldiers, however, were able to fight back and succeeded in driving their attackers away, reports said.None of the soldiers suffered gunshot wounds as a result of the firefight, reports added.These, however, don’t mean they’re gaining ‘momentum’ on the ground, according to 1Lt. Bonacua. The way we assess the rebels’ forces, they’re no longer that strong unlike before. Now, the masses that were supposed to support them have decided to abandon the movement. Many of their members have also surrendered to the folds of the law, said Bonacua.Bonacua said that a week ago, at least 29 NPA rebels, led by a certain Felix Sicao, from different areas in Magpet town surrendered to authorities. Not only that, because of our intense military offensives, we drove the rebels away from their bases, said the military official.Based on the Army’s intelligence reports, there are at least two NPA fronts operating in North Cotabato – the Front 53 which covers the hinterlands of Arakan Valley Development Complex and parts of Bukidnon province, and the Front 51 which covers Makilala, North Cotabato and other parts of Davao del Sur.