DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 08 Apr) – New People’s Army rebels raided a southern Philippine prison facility and carted away assorted weapons, authorities said.
Authorities said the rebels, armed with automatic weapons, swooped down on the prison in Davao DEL Norte’s Panabo town early Saturday and disarmed the guards and then raided the armory.
There were no reports of killings and the rebels, disguised as government soldiers, escaped in vans after the raid.
It was not immediately known if there were prisoners taken during the escape, but security forces have launched a massive pursuit operation to capture the raiders.
The reports did not say how many rebels were involved in the raid.
Gregorio Rosal, a rebel spokesman, confirmed the raid and said it was carried out by NPA soldiers under the Merardo Arce Command.
“The Communist Party of the Philippines and the entire revolutionary movement congratulate the New People's Army-Merardo Arce Command (NPA-MAC) for the successful raid on the Davao Penal Colony (Dapeco) in the early hours of April 7.“
“Without firing a single shot, NPA Red fighters were able to totally control the area and within 20 minutes haul in 101 assorted firearms, including 50 M16 and Carbine rifles from the Dapeco's armory. It was one of the biggest NPA arms hauls from the enemy in recent years,” he said.
Rosal said the large cache will arm more than a hundred new recruits into the NPA waiting for arms to join the next tactical offensives. He also urged rebel forces to carry out more offensives in the country.
The NPA is fighting the past three decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the Philippines. (With a report from Romy Bwaga)
1 comment:
It may be a set up. Now, they will know where they are using the weapons.
Post a Comment