Cops foil rebel attack in MisOr

SUSPECTED members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attempted to attack another establishment early Friday, but went unsuccessful after elements of Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) stopped them.

Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Norris Babiera said the rebels tried to attack the 101st Maneuver Company of the RPSB on Friday at 3 a.m.

Babiera told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the motive of the attack was a “show of force to discount the claim of government troops that the NPA is no longer relevant and that their group are already weak.”

He said there was a 30-minute exchange of gunfire between the elements of the RPSB and the rebels, but the latter withdrew.

No casualty was reported on the government side, he added.

Lagonglong Police Chief Philip John Cariaga said they have been on full alert even before Friday’s attempt as well as the attack in Bukidnon last Tuesday evening.

“Though RPSB is different from our station, the entire provincial police force is always on alert,” Cariaga said in an interview over dxIF Bombo Radyo.

Police could not determine the exact number of suspected NPA rebels.

Last Tuesday, an estimated 100 NPA rebels simultaneously attacked the plantation office and truck yard of Del Monte Philippines in Camp Phillips and Dole-Stanfilco in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

One security guard of Del Monte died in the attack while three others were wounded.

Two suspected NPA rebels were later arrested as authorities are doing pursuit operations.