Army blames NPA in grenade attacks in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

KORONADAL CITY -- Military authorities here blamed the communist New Peoples Army in a failed bombing attempt at a militia detachment in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat Monday.Capt. Rey Balibagoso, speaking for the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, said the NPAs are making noise as its foundation anniversary is fast approaching.On Monday night, suspected NPA hit men fired two M-79 grenades towarda militia detachment in Barangay Maligaya, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. Both grenades did not explode. They would like to portrait the communist movement is still alive and kicking, Balibagoso told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal in Filipino. No other armed groups operate in Columbio but the NPAs from South Cotabato and Davao del Sur, who else would attack a militia detachment task to secure civilians from forced taxation by the rebels, he added.