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Friday, July 04, 2008
Rebels stage attacks in Compostela, Davao
DAVAO CITY -- After raiding the towns of Dapa and General Luna in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, New People's Army (NPA) rebels staged simultaneous offensives in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental Thursday.
The communist group raided two tunnels in the gold-rush mountain of Diwalwal, lobbed a grenade in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, and attacked the Banaybanay town hall in Davao Oriental.
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Major Armand Rico, spokesperson of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the raid was conducted around 5:50 a.m. at mining tunnels owned by Azares and the JB Management and Mining Corporation (JBMMC).
About 20 rebels in two groups simultaneously attacked the two tunnels. Three firearms were reportedly taken from JBMMC tunnel while police personnel allegedly assigned at the Azares tunnel withdrew towards Purok 16 due to the overwhelming force of the NPA.
On June 29, rebels also raided a tunnel just as the people in Diwalwal were busy watching the fight between Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz. Assorted rifles were also carted away by the rebels. No one was hurt in the incidents.
Nabunturan blast
In another report, three people were killed while 10 more were wounded in a grenade explosion in Compostela Valley past midnight Thursday.
Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy offered a P200,000 reward for anybody who could give information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The explosion happened midnight at Park and Go Bakeshop along Fuentes and Arabejo Streets in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.
The rebel members were on board a red motorcycle while another motorcycle, colored white, is believed to have been a backup of the rebels.
The grenade was hurled in the area where a group of students were eating.
Two victims were killed on the spot, while another died while being treated at the Davao Regional Hospital.
Reports said 11 others were wounded and are now being treated in the same hospital.
The fatalities were identified as Grace Agura, 17, Renel Campitan, 18, and a habal-habal driver Rodel Lambajon, all residents of the Poblacion of Nabunturan.
The wounded were identified as Gilmer John Zabala, Noel Siva, Raquelyn Diez, Charlito Retiza, Jhoanny Ellacanao, Jay-ar Valle, Rodelyn Solano, Renante Saplan Jr., Roneth Ollamina, Julius Postrero, and Chan Cabonite.
Governor Uy condemned the bombing but refused to immediately put the blame on the NPA, saying authorities are still investigating the incident.
Eastmincom said the motive behind the explosion could be non-payment of revolutionary taxes to the rebels.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Southern Mindanao Director Andres Caro confirmed that the perpetrators are rebels. "They (rebels) are the ones responsible for the death of two Army personnel in the same town few days ago," he said.
Compostela Valley is a known rebel hotspot with several rebel atrocities perpetrated recently.
The military said the NPA is losing the battle that is why they are now resorting to terror activities such as bombing.
The governor earlier planned to initiate a localized peace talks with the rebels but his plan hit a snag after the rebels allegedly did not reply to the offer of the Provincial Government for local peace negotiations.
Town hall raid
In Davao Oriental, NPA members posing as protesters onboard two trucks and one van raided the municipal hall of Banaybanay in Davao Oriental Thursday morning.
Caro said about 50 rebels raided the town hall around 8:50 a.m. He said authorities were caught unaware since the rebels posed as protesters and were in fact carrying placards.
The rebels then fired their way into the municipal hall wounding one PO3 Pesian in the process. They also carted away six M16 rifles, two 9mm pistols and one caliber .22 revolver.
The Army's 1001st Brigade meanwhile identified the raiders as the Pulang Bagani Command 3 under Ka Lando and Ka Noli.
Police in the town reportedly put up a fight against the rebels that lasted for 30 minutes.
Forces from the police and military immediately responded to the area but the rebels already left when they arrived.
Hot pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this writing Thursday.
The entire Southern Mindanao has been placed on red alert amidst the simultaneous attacks.
Caro said the attacks are meant to project an image that the NPA is a potent group. (Ben O. Tesiorna and Carlo P. Mallo/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (July 4, 2008 issue)
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