6 hurt in Army-NPA clash in Sultan Kudarat
Local News • 02:38 AM Thu May 26, 2016
1,864
By:
Edwin Fernandez
NPAs in ambush mode in one of North Cotabato's town. (Alex Sonico FB photo)
KORONADAL CITY -- Four infantrymen and two
communist guerrillas were injured in a clash between elements of the 39th
Infantry Battalion and New Peoples’ Army in the mountains of Columbio, Sultan
Kudarat, the military said today.
The fighting erupted when 39th IB
troopers on patrol in the sub-village of Lamalis, Barangay Datal Blao, Solumbio,
Sultan Kudarat accidentally met about 20 NPAs at about 10 p.m. Monday,
according to Army Capt. Danny Tapang, 39th IB spokesperson.
Tapang, also battalion civil military operations
chief, said the soldiers were part of the Army unit implementing peace and
development project in the village of Datal Blao, a known stronghold of Guerilla
Front 72.He said the firefight lasted for about two hours
until the guerrillas fled under cover of darkness deep into the borders of
Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Davao del Sur.
The wounded were only identified as Sgt. Sarmiento, Privates
First Class Besande, Martel and Bocala of the 39th IB Charlie company.
Tapang said villagers who are beneficiaries of the Army’s
peace and development program told military officials the rebels had two
wounded comrades carried by fleeing guerrillas.
Soldiers remained on alert.
Tapang also explained that the military had been conducting
peace and development program, more known as PDOP, in Datal Blao to win back
the hearts of its residents who have been influenced by communist movement for
several years now.
He said the NPAs have been opposed to the Army’s
PDOP. (Edwin Fernandez)