DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 22, 2010) – Communist rebels ambushed a military patrol and killing two government militias and wounding two others in the southern Philippines.
The attack occurred in the village of El Salvador in Davao del Norte’s New Corella town, a spokesperson for the New People’s Army rebels, Marcella Valiente, said.
Valiente said Wednesday ambush was part of a tactical offensive of the New People’s Army, which is fighting the past four decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.
“Three high-powered rifles - one M16 Armalite, one M14 rifle and one M1 rifle - were seized. Two paramilitary elements of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit were killed on the spot while two others were wounded, including the commander of the Philippine Army detachment in the same barangay (village). There were no casualties on our side,” Valiente said.
“This tactical offensive against combatants of the regular and paramilitary forces is a legitimate military action by the people’s army. It is an attack against the 72nd Infantry Battalion and CAFGU forces in El Salvador, who have figured in many incidents of violations of human rights in the area. These prevalent acts include, but are not limited to, mauling of civilians, extortion, serious threats and repression of farmers.”
Valiente said those wounded in the attack were given medical treatment by the rebels, but it was unknown whether they had been taken prisoners or not.
The military did not give any statement about the ambush. (Mindanao Examiner)
Showing posts with label Davao del Norte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Davao del Norte. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
2 killed in NPA ambush in South RP
Monday, August 10, 2009
NPA rebels raid military post in southern Philippines
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 10, 2009) – Communist rebels stormed a military post and briefly held hostage four people, including a government soldier before retreating to the hills in the southern Philippine province of Davao del Norte, security officials said Monday.
Officials said the weekend raid occurred in Napungas village in the town of Asuncion where New People’s Army rebels carted 15 automatic rifles and a radio transceiver.
“The rebels held two village officials, a child, and a government soldier and used them as shield against pursuing troops,” said Captain Rosa Maria Cristina Manuel, a spokeswoman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.
She said the rebels later freed all the hostages unharmed.
It was unknown why soldiers deployed in the village failed to prevent the raid, but Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, the army division commander, has ordered an investigation into the attack.
Mapagu said that a board of inquiry to be led by the Division Inspector General has been tasked to conduct the investigation.
“This is to determine the background and the cause of the incident, lapses committed by our troops, probable violations of standard operating procedures and to come up with recommendations in order to avoid future occurrence of this sort, specifically to protect noncombatants in such cases without bowing to the terrorists’ demands.” Mapagu said.
The raid came ahead of the resumption of peace talks between rebels and government negotiators in October in Norway. Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after both sides failed to sign a deal that would put an en to more than four decades of bloody fighting in the country.
The rebels are fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said the weekend raid occurred in Napungas village in the town of Asuncion where New People’s Army rebels carted 15 automatic rifles and a radio transceiver.
“The rebels held two village officials, a child, and a government soldier and used them as shield against pursuing troops,” said Captain Rosa Maria Cristina Manuel, a spokeswoman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.
She said the rebels later freed all the hostages unharmed.
It was unknown why soldiers deployed in the village failed to prevent the raid, but Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, the army division commander, has ordered an investigation into the attack.
Mapagu said that a board of inquiry to be led by the Division Inspector General has been tasked to conduct the investigation.
“This is to determine the background and the cause of the incident, lapses committed by our troops, probable violations of standard operating procedures and to come up with recommendations in order to avoid future occurrence of this sort, specifically to protect noncombatants in such cases without bowing to the terrorists’ demands.” Mapagu said.
The raid came ahead of the resumption of peace talks between rebels and government negotiators in October in Norway. Peace talks collapsed in 2004 after both sides failed to sign a deal that would put an en to more than four decades of bloody fighting in the country.
The rebels are fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Police shot dead soldier tagged in 3 killings in Davao del Norte
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 1, 2009) – Police killed an army soldier who was tagged as one of two motorcycle gunmen who shot dead three people in an attack in the southern Filipino province of Davao del Norte.
The soldier, Corporal Arnold Toriano, shot a policeman and two other civilians Tuesday in the village of Tibal-og in Santo Tomas town. Toriano and his companion escaped, but they were pursued by policemen and engaged them in a running gun battle until the soldier was shot and killed.
Policemen were apparently unaware the slain gunman was a soldier until his unit arrived and clashed with the lawmen. The soldiers took the body of Toriano, a member of the 72nd Infantry Battalion and escaped.
It was not immediately known why Toriano killed the policeman and two other people and whether his companion was also a soldier or not. It was unknown if the soldier had anything to do with killings of many political activists and peasant leaders in the province. Militant groups have repeatedly accused soldiers as behind extrajudicial killings in Davao del Norte.
But Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, ordered an investigation into the involvement of Toriano in the killings and the clash between soldiers and policemen.
Mapagu assured that there will be no cover up in the investigation. He also relieved the commander of the 72nd Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Tan and Toriano’s superior, First Lieutenant Heriberto Sangalang, while investigations are going on.
Sangalang led soldiers who took Toriano’s body and eventually clashed with the police. He claimed Toriano called up for back-up before he was killed and said gunmen engaged them in a firefight in the village of Tibal-og.
Sangalang said he was unaware that Toriano was being pursued by policemen for killing three people. “Lieutenant Sangalang, with the desire to provide assistance to the beleaguered Toriano, immediately organized a team composed of soldiers under 60th Infantry Battalion and rushed to the scene.”
“Lieutenant Sangalang, not aware of the circumstances surrounding the incident, took the cadaver of Corporal Toriano that led to a tense situation between the military and the policemen present in the area. The cadaver was brought to the headquarters of 60th Infantry Battalion based at Dona Andrea Asuncion town in Davao Del Norte,” an army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Roland de Guzman, said.
De Guzman said all the soldiers who were involved in the clash with policemen had been apprehended and brought to the police headquarters for further investigations.
“Major General Mapagu also instructed the Inspector General of the 10th Infantry Division to conduct an investigation and look into the administrative liabilities of those involved as the Philippine National Police determines the soldiers’ criminal liabilities,” Bautista said.
He also quoted Mapagu as saying: “Despite my specific guidance of giving utmost importance to discipline and respect for human rights, there are still soldiers who deviate from this instruction resulting to negative perception of the public on the 10ID as a whole. I will not hesitate to discharge those involved if found guilty of violating the provisions under Articles of War.”
Since he assumed as division commander in February, Mapagu - who once headed the elite Scout Rangers - has discharged a total of 29 erring soldiers, including an infantryman who was implicated in a robbery case last month, and also demoted a dozen more for various offenses. (Mindanao Examiner)
The soldier, Corporal Arnold Toriano, shot a policeman and two other civilians Tuesday in the village of Tibal-og in Santo Tomas town. Toriano and his companion escaped, but they were pursued by policemen and engaged them in a running gun battle until the soldier was shot and killed.
Policemen were apparently unaware the slain gunman was a soldier until his unit arrived and clashed with the lawmen. The soldiers took the body of Toriano, a member of the 72nd Infantry Battalion and escaped.
It was not immediately known why Toriano killed the policeman and two other people and whether his companion was also a soldier or not. It was unknown if the soldier had anything to do with killings of many political activists and peasant leaders in the province. Militant groups have repeatedly accused soldiers as behind extrajudicial killings in Davao del Norte.
But Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, ordered an investigation into the involvement of Toriano in the killings and the clash between soldiers and policemen.
Mapagu assured that there will be no cover up in the investigation. He also relieved the commander of the 72nd Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Tan and Toriano’s superior, First Lieutenant Heriberto Sangalang, while investigations are going on.
Sangalang led soldiers who took Toriano’s body and eventually clashed with the police. He claimed Toriano called up for back-up before he was killed and said gunmen engaged them in a firefight in the village of Tibal-og.
Sangalang said he was unaware that Toriano was being pursued by policemen for killing three people. “Lieutenant Sangalang, with the desire to provide assistance to the beleaguered Toriano, immediately organized a team composed of soldiers under 60th Infantry Battalion and rushed to the scene.”
“Lieutenant Sangalang, not aware of the circumstances surrounding the incident, took the cadaver of Corporal Toriano that led to a tense situation between the military and the policemen present in the area. The cadaver was brought to the headquarters of 60th Infantry Battalion based at Dona Andrea Asuncion town in Davao Del Norte,” an army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Roland de Guzman, said.
De Guzman said all the soldiers who were involved in the clash with policemen had been apprehended and brought to the police headquarters for further investigations.
“Major General Mapagu also instructed the Inspector General of the 10th Infantry Division to conduct an investigation and look into the administrative liabilities of those involved as the Philippine National Police determines the soldiers’ criminal liabilities,” Bautista said.
He also quoted Mapagu as saying: “Despite my specific guidance of giving utmost importance to discipline and respect for human rights, there are still soldiers who deviate from this instruction resulting to negative perception of the public on the 10ID as a whole. I will not hesitate to discharge those involved if found guilty of violating the provisions under Articles of War.”
Since he assumed as division commander in February, Mapagu - who once headed the elite Scout Rangers - has discharged a total of 29 erring soldiers, including an infantryman who was implicated in a robbery case last month, and also demoted a dozen more for various offenses. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Filipino farmers at work in the southern Philippines
Farmers in Davao del Norte’s Carmen town claim to harvest 40 sacks of palay for every two hectares of rice they plant. It is back-breaking labor that is not adequately compensated. (Contributed photo by Jonald Mahinay / davaotoday.com)Monday, February 23, 2009
Sleeping Dinosaur In The Southern Philippines
Aptly called the “Sleeping Dinosaur” because of its unique shape that resembles the giant beast, this peninsula is a favorite view near Mati town in Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner / Contributed by davaotoday.com / Jonald Mahinay)Sunday, February 22, 2009
Two rebels, 1 soldier killed in new clashes in Mindanao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 22, 2009) – Two communist rebels and a government soldier were killed in separate fighting Sunday in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Lt. Col. Roland Bautista, spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said troops killed two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a clash in Davao del Norte’s Talaingod town.
Lt. Col. Roland Bautista, spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said troops killed two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a clash in Davao del Norte’s Talaingod town.
He said there were no military casualties in the fighting and soldiers captured two automatic rifles left behind by fleeing rebels. Soldiers also recovered the bodies of the slain rebels in Dagohoy village where the fighting broke out.
“Two NPA rebels were killed and their bodies recovered by the troops,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
Fighting also erupted in Panabo City, also in Davao del Norte, after NPA rebels ambushed a military truck in the village of Dalisay, killing one soldier and wounding at least three more infantrymen.
The military said rebel forces detonated a landmine as the patrol was passing the village on their way to Davao City.
Army Capt. Rosa Manuel said the rebels violated the international ban of the use of landmines. She said troops also recovered more unexploded mines in the area.
The rebels said that command-detonated land mines are legitimate offensive and defensive weapons they employed in the course of the people’s war against the military.
Early this month, the military said it killed seven NPA rebels in fierce fighting in North Cotabato's Tulunan town, scene of bloody clashes in recent months between the two groups.
But rebel leaders denied the reported casualties and branded the military report as propaganda.
The NPA, armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.
Rebel leaders broke off peace talks with the Arroyo government in 2004 after the United States listed the NPA, including the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, as foreign terrorist organizations and froze their assets abroad on Manila's prodding.
The NPA vowed to intensify attacks against police and military targets in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Extra-Judicial Killings Continue In Southern RP City
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 13, 2008) - The emerging city of Tagum is now holding the dubious distinction as the murder capital in the province of Davao del Norte.
According to official police records, Tagum City has topped the list of murder cases tallying 58 out of the 108 people killed in the whole province from January to September 2008.
The killings were perpetrated by the vigilante group called the Underground Death Squad (UDS) mostly against those who had past criminal records and suspected criminals.
Davao del Norte provincial police director Chief Supt. Benilito Bianzon already directed authorities to resolve the unabated extra-judicial killings that have alarmed not only the business sector, but local officials as well.
Tagum City police chief Dario Gunabe has stepped up operations to arrest those behind the killings. (Romy Bwaga)
Four NPA Rebels, 1 Militia Killed In Mindanao Clashes
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 13, 2008) – Four communist rebels and a government militia were killed in separate clashes Monday in Mindanao, a regional army spokesman said.
Major Armand Rico said about 60 New People’s Army rebels attacked a military patrol base at around 4 a.m. in the village of Kingking in Pantukan town in Compostela Valley province.
Troops, from the 72nd Infantry Battalion, fought the rebel forces for three hours until they retreated, Rico said, adding, the clash left two NPA gunmen and a government militia dead.
“Troops repelled the attacks and killed two rebels, but one of our militias was also slain in the fighting,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said another group of rebel forces also clashed with soldiers belonging to the 60th Infantry Battalion shortly before 10 a.m. in Palma Gil village in Davao del Norte’s Talaingod town.
The fighting, he said, also left two NPA rebels killed and none of the military side.Two army soldiers were also killed in the town when NPA rebels ambushed a military truck transporting provisions to troops in the province.
The NPA is fighting for decades to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the Philippines.
Rebel leaders broke off peace talks with the Arroyo government in 2004 after accusing Manila of reneging on a deal that would have freed thousands of political detainees and put a stop to the extra-judicial killings of activists in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
4 Killed In Clashes In Mindanao
A KM450 military truck.DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 11, 2008) – Four people were killed in separate clashes Saturday between government and rebel forces in the restive southern Philippines region of Mindanao, officials said.
Officials said Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels attacked police forces at around 4 a.m. in the village of Sangay in Sultan Kudarat’s Kalamansig town, triggering a running gun battle that left one policeman and a rebel dead.
Maj. Armand Rico, a regional army spokesman, said the attackers were under the MILF’s 104th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. “There is a pursuit operation, police and military forces are pursuing the rebels responsible for the attack,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said communist insurgents also ambushed a KM450 military truck and killed to army soldiers in the village of Dagohoy in the town of Talaingod in Davao del Norte province.
The attack occurred at around 9.15 a.m. as troops were on their way to bring provisions to government forces pursuing New People’s Army insurgents in the province. “The insurgents attacked troops who were only bringing food supplies to soldiers. Two good soldiers perished in the attack,” Rico said.
The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for a separate homeland in Mindanao, while the NPA is also fighting to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the Philippines.
The military said both rebel groups have in the past forged an alliance to fight the military and train each other forces. The MILF has previously loaned the NPA rocket-propelled grenade launchers and in return communist insurgents trained Moro rebels in guerilla warfare in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels attacked police forces at around 4 a.m. in the village of Sangay in Sultan Kudarat’s Kalamansig town, triggering a running gun battle that left one policeman and a rebel dead.
Maj. Armand Rico, a regional army spokesman, said the attackers were under the MILF’s 104th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. “There is a pursuit operation, police and military forces are pursuing the rebels responsible for the attack,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said communist insurgents also ambushed a KM450 military truck and killed to army soldiers in the village of Dagohoy in the town of Talaingod in Davao del Norte province.
The attack occurred at around 9.15 a.m. as troops were on their way to bring provisions to government forces pursuing New People’s Army insurgents in the province. “The insurgents attacked troops who were only bringing food supplies to soldiers. Two good soldiers perished in the attack,” Rico said.
The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for a separate homeland in Mindanao, while the NPA is also fighting to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the Philippines.
The military said both rebel groups have in the past forged an alliance to fight the military and train each other forces. The MILF has previously loaned the NPA rocket-propelled grenade launchers and in return communist insurgents trained Moro rebels in guerilla warfare in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Troops Capture NPA Camp In Davao Norte
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 11, 2008) – Philippine troops captured a rebel encampment after a firefight on Thursday with communist insurgents in Davao del Norte province.
Lt. Col. Adriano Perez, commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers clashed with New People’s Army rebels until the gunmen retreated from the village of Dagohoy in Talaingod town.
He said there were no reports of casualties from both sides, but troops recovered assorted rebel propaganda. The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Romy Bwaga)
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Troops Clash With NPA Rebels In South RP
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 1, 2008) – Government troops clashed Tuesday with the New People’s Army as security forces continue to battle communist insurgents in the southern Philippines, a military spokesman said.
Lt. Col. Kurt Decapia, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th infantry Division, said Special Forces soldiers battled with NPA gunman in the farming village of Camanza in Davao del Norte’s Asuncion town. “There were no reports of military casualties,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
Decapia said troops recovered an M14 automatic rifle left behind by fleeing rebels.He did not say if there were rebels killed or wounded in the fighting. The NPA did not give any statement on the latest fighting.
Decapia said the NPA rebels have been on the run because of continued government offensive in Mindanao, where more than a dozen insurgents were also slain in sporadic clashes since Monday in Surigao del Sur province.
Two Special Forces soldiers were also killed in a rebel attack on Monday in Nabunturan town in Compostela Valley province. The duo was buying at a convenience store when rebels attacked them.
The NPA, armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, have stepped up attacks against government and military targets after peace talks with Manila collapsed in 2004. The rebels were fighting for the establishment of a separate Maoist state in the Philippines. (Romy Bwaga)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Spray Plane Crashes In South RP, Pilot Killed
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 19, 2007) – A small aircraft crashed and exploded Monday on a remote village in southern Philippines, killing its pilot, officials said.
Emmanuel Antonio, of the Air Transportation Office, said the aircraft crashed while spraying pesticide in the village of Magatos in Davao del Norte’s Asuncion town at around 8 a.m.
“The plane exploded on impact and we have received reports that its pilot, Captain Rico Cajucom, was killed in the crash,” Antonio told the MiThe Manila Times.
He said the spray plane crashed near a farm. “We still don’t know why the aircraft crashed,” he said.
It was not immediately known what company the pilot was working with, but Davao del Norte is the leading producer of bananas and many plantations run by multinationals Dole and Del Monte and local producers such as Lapanday, Marsman and TADECO. (Mindanao Examiner)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
NPA Rebels Raid Southern Philippine Town
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 22 Aug) – New People’s Army rebels stormed Wednesday a small southern Philippine town and seized weapons from a police station before raiding a private plantation and took more firearms, authorities said.
About two dozen rebels, disguised as army soldiers, entered the police base in San Isidro town in Davao Oriental province and pretended to surrender a captured NPA fighter, but once inside they disarmed everybody and ransacked the arsenal.
They also attacked a mango plantation and seized more weapons after overpowering the security guards. The rebels escaped after the raid.
Security forces were sent to pursue the rebels, but it was unknown whether soldiers and policemen caught up with the NPA band.
Just early this month, rebel forces also carted away government weapons after a firefight with soldiers and militias in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province that left three members of the civilian auxiliary force dead.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines which is fighting the past decades to overthrow the democratic government and install a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Police Nab Shooter Of Party Boy
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 08 Mar) – Police arrested a village councilor accused of killing a teenager in the southern Filipino province of Davao Del Norte.
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the official was implicated in the killing of Tan Viter, 16.
The teenager was walking home with his friends after attending a disco party in Braulio Dujali town when the 56-year old councilor allegedly shot him without apparent reason. The attack occurred Tuesday, police said.
Police said it is still investigating the motive of the killing. The victim’s family said they would file murder charges against the official. (Romy Bwaga)
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the official was implicated in the killing of Tan Viter, 16.
The teenager was walking home with his friends after attending a disco party in Braulio Dujali town when the 56-year old councilor allegedly shot him without apparent reason. The attack occurred Tuesday, police said.
Police said it is still investigating the motive of the killing. The victim’s family said they would file murder charges against the official. (Romy Bwaga)
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