Military recovered Assorted Fire Arms of NPA during encounter in Makilala

Mawab, Compostela Valley (posted by Becky D. de Asis - The Redline News Philippines)  - The 10th Infantry Division confirms that the recovered war material from a series of encounter at Brgy Biangan, Makilala, North Cotabato on January 21 and 22, 2017 between the joint elements of Makilala MPS and 39th Infantry Battalion with a lawless armed group (LAG) they are pursuing after the group harassed a truck in a bid to extort from a construction company belong to the NPA under the Guerrilla Front 51 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

The confirmation came after the PNP SOCO processed the incident site and examined the recovered cadaver of a dead man and war items which include three high-powered rifles, three improvised explosive devices, 15 backpacks loaded with personal belongings, two handheld radios, assorted medical supplies and several subversive documents.

Several extortion letters signed by a certain Ricardo Fermiza, spokesman of Guerilla 51, Davao del Sur-North Cotabato Operation Command of the NPA, Southern Mindanao Region were also recovered. Per report from 39IB, Fermiza had been extorting from business owners and ordinary civilians since 2014.

The said items were brought by PNP SOCO at the Provincial Crime Laboratory in Kidapawan City for further evaluation and proper disposition.

On the other-hand, the recovered dead body was identified as Rojit Estampa Ranara, 33, married, resident of Sito Patulangon, Brgy Zone 1, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur. The cadaver was claimed by her sister Lolita Estampa Ranara. The cadaver is currently laid at Torreda Funeral Homes, Makilala, North Cotabato.

On the allegation of the chief propagandist of SMRC that eight soldiers were killed during the unfortunate incident, the 10ID invites the public to scrutinize the records of the Makilala MPS, interview the people around the encounter site and check on all hospitals and funeral parlors in Regions 11 and 12 to determine who is telling the truth.

“It is very sad that while the peace talks is on-going, there are armed groups who continue to use force and violence to terrorize and extort from the people,” said Major General Valencia, Commander of 10ID. “The AFP together with the PNP as mandated by law, will always take actions to secure and protect the people against these wanton attacks,” he added. (PR/courtesy of 10th ID, PA) posted by Becky D. De Asis-The Redline News Philippines)