More troops sent to Kalamansig mountains after Marines-NPA clash
Local News • 05:53 AM Tue May 16, 2017
1,308
By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
Marine officials view the armaments and explosives recovered after brief clash with communists in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. (6ID photos)
CAMP SIONGCO,
Maguindanao – The military here has deployed more Marine troopers
in the hinterlands of the coastal town of Sultan Kudarat following a brief
firefight with communist rebels over the weekend, an Army official today said.
As of
this report, pursuit and blockade are being conducted by our ground troops to
thwart the extrication of the rebels, Major Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of
the 6th Infantry Division based here, said.
Dela Vega also
heads the Joint Task Force Central, the military-led task force that pursues
lawless elements, Moro bandits and communist rebels in the provinces of
Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and part of Lanao del Sur.
Aerial and
land assets are being utilized to track down the fleeing armed rebels in the
immediate vicinity of the encounter site, Dela Vega said.
We are making
sure that the fighting will not spill over to nearby areas, he told
reporters Monday.
Operating
troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT2), under the JTF Central,
clashed with some 100 communist rebels in the mountains of Barangay Hinalaan,
Kalamansig on Saturday.
Marine
troopers were sent to the village to verify reports on the presence of New
Peoples Army (NPA) mulcting farmers. As the troops arrived, they were fired
upon by the communist rebels, triggering a brief firefight.
Although
outnumbered, the platoon-size Marines stood their ground ensuring the attackers
are subdued.After about 30 minutes, the
rebels fled deep into the forest of Sition Lomolon, Barangay Hinalaan.
Government
forces were backed by artillery fire from MBLT-2 base, forcing the rebels to
escape.
It was in the
same village that seven Marines were hurt after they were ambushed by communist
rebels in February.
Dela Vega said
the clash also prevented the rebels’ plot to set off roadside bombs against
Philippine Marine troops conducting medical mission in poor upland communities
of Kalamansig.
After the clearing
operations, government forces recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle and four sets of
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
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Lt. General
Carlito Galvez Jr, commander of Western Mindanao Command, lauded JTF Central
for the successful operation. Galvez once led JTF Central when he was still 6th
ID commander prior to his stint as Westmincom chief.
It is obvious
that these rebels are no longer fighting for any ideology but are just engaged
in plain banditry, Galvez said in a statement.
They
have no place in our communities and must be fought together by all peace
loving individuals, he added.
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John Encinas, 6th ID spokesperson, said clearing operations are
still going on in the village of Hinalaan to ensure no ordnance and explosives
were left by the communist rebels and secure villagers.