NPA attacked mining firm in South Cotabato, no casualty was reported

Ma. Lourdes “Miami” Ebilane
January 1, 2008 Tuesday
Story 4: NPA attacked mining firm in South Cotabato, no casualty was reported

The National People’s Army (NPA) once again attacked a mining firm in South Cotabato despite the their own declation of truce on December 24 and 25, December 31 and January 1, 2008.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, PIO of Army said the NPA is deceiving people after they attacked on New Year’s day despite their own declaration of ceasefire.

In the reports that Torres received, “50 armed NPA men simoultaneously attacked Sagitarius Mining Incorporated (SMI) and the CAFGU detachment of 71 Infantry Batalion under 1002 BDE of 10 ID, which is approximately 800 meters away from each other.” The CAFU detachment only manned by nine persons.

The incident occurred at around 3:45 a.m. at Sitio Datal Mangisi, Barangay Tablun, Tampakan, South Cotabato. Torres said the purpose of having simoultaneous attack is to prevent the military in providing support to the SMI Camp base. Though, there was no casualty reported.

Structures and Equipment were burned; one .38 revolver issued to Musali Samling, a security guard, one 12 gauge shotgun and one handheld rdo issued to another security guard identified as Sluan Lambutan and one lap top computer were carted by the NPA. Estimated damages at SMI amounts to P20-Million.

Torres said, that at around 4:30 am the rebels finally withdrew. “The government troops were able to successfully defend their position despite being numerically inferior,”Torres said.

He also added that the 27 IB are already doing operations to capture the perpetuators.

“This incident clearly manifests how the NPA use treachery and deception in order to terrorize people. It also shows that the CPP/NPA central leadership is no longer being followed by the regional and provincial NPA’s,” Torres said.

In adition, they are making an appeal to the people who still patronizing the NPA to re-assess their stands and return to the government and turn their backs to the nature of NPA.