NPA-FSMR thwarts AFP attacks, inflicts heavy casualties on the enemy forces

Military forces under the 10th ID and 6th ID-AFP conducted extensive operations against the revolutionary forces in the different areas of Far South Mindanao that started early last month. All NPA units in the region remain in active defense while the military operations were prolonged.

On April 18, 2018, a platoon unit of the Mt. Alip Subregional Operations Command faced a defensive fight against 39th IB troops in Brgy. Upper Bala, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. Two Red fighters were martyred at the battle.

On May 8, 2018, another armed confrontation between the MASROC-NPA and the 39th IB forces took place in Sitio Kapatagan, Brgy. Luayon, Makilala town in North Cotabato. The government troops plotted to raid the NPA encampment at around 10:30 in the morning, but the Red fighters were able to put up a fight and foil their attackers.

Reliable sources confirmed that at least 9 soldiers and paramilitary members were killed in the firefight that lasted for over 30 minutes. Several wounded soldiers were treated in local hospitals while those who were seriously injured were taken to Davao City.

The 10th ID-PA immediately put out fabrications to shroud their embarrassment. The 39th IB cunningly declared that the NPA sustained undetermined number of casualties and it claimed that only two infantrymen were slightly injured.

Some military casualties were airlifted, while the others were taken by ambulances. Roads leading to the area were closed by the military until the rescue operation was completed. The 39th IB reportedly used an ambulance vehicle to haul the firearms and military equipments recovered from the casualties.

In Sitio Lemteneneg, Barangay Kematu, T’boli, South Cotabato, an armed encounter between NPA fighters under the Mt. Musa Subregional Operations Command and the 27th IB-PA troops also erupted at around 11:00 o’clock in the morning on the same day.

The NPA was able to detect the movements of the military troops who were conducting operations in the area. They promptly set up a position for ambush against one of the enemy columns. Command detonated explosives were employed by the NPA, causing many casualties to the enemy forces.

The 27th IB claimed there was undetermined number of casualties on the NPA’s side while they have none. But witnesses affirmed that 10 soldiers were killed in the gun battle and 16 others were injured.

The AFP desperately carried out retaliatory shelling and air strikes in the areas where the respective encounters took place. The indiscriminate bombardments forced hundreds of families from Brgy. Luayon, Makilala and Brgy. Kematu, T’boli to evacuate their communities.

The masses were delighted by the triumph of the Red fighters against the fascists while they strongly condemn the bombardment of civilian communities.

The NPA’s recent victory against enemy offensives in FSMR is an attestation that so long as the Duterte regime goes on with its war of suppression, the NPA will pursue its armed struggle to defend the people against state terror and fascist violence.

Ka Dencio Madrigal
Spokesperson, VPROC-NPA

1 June 2018
Valentin Palamine Regional Operations Command
Far South Mindanao Region | NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY

Source: https://www.ndfp.org/npa-fsmr-thwarts-afp-attacks-inflicts-heavy-casualties-on-the-enemy-forces/

C. Kistler

Also editor of Nouvelle Turquie.