Troops uncover NPA food, medicines caches
Published Mar 16, 2018 12:05 am
By Mike U. Crismundo
Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – Combat maneuvering troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have uncovered stock piles of food, medicines and medical supplies of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Mindanao.
Capt. Norman M. Tagros, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade said the caches were found in two separate locations in Sitio Pantaron, Barangay Banlag, and Sitio Bulacao, Barangay Concepcion, both in Valencia City, Bukidnon province on March 9and 14.
“Unearthed by the combat maneuvering troops of the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88th IB) last Friday (March 9) were 26 plastic containers filled with rice. Villagers in Barangay Banlag who were fed up of intimidation and extortion reported the said food cache and medicines to the authorities,” disclosed Tagros.
On Wednesday, troops of the 88th IB discovered again another CPP-NPA terrorists’ food cache that includes 67 plastic containers filled with rice and two plastic drums filled with assorted food, medicines and medical supplies.
Each container reportedly contained 16 kilos of rice. The supplies were buried three feet deep.
“The help of our concerned villagers made the series of discoveries of these big NPAs food caches and medicines and other medical supplies in the area possible,” Tagros said.
Meanwhile, 88th IB commander Lt. Col. Randy O. Remonte assured the people within their area of operations in Bukidnon that they will continue to work closely with the local government units, the PNP, and the local residents in the conduct of Community Support Program (CSP) while continuing to secure the communities from CPP-NPA threats.
“We assure the people in Bukidnon that the 88th IB will continue to collaborate with you together with local government units and PNP in ensuring peace and order in your communities. In our three months of existence as a newly activated Battalion of the Philippine Army, we are glad to have shared with you our humble accomplishments in our bid to maintain peace and order in the communities.” he said.
On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Eric C. Vinoya, commanding general of the 403rd “Peacemaker” Brigade, also assured that the 403rd Infantry Brigade will have no let up in its Focused Military Operations (FMO) while continuing its efforts on CSP. He also warned all those who would provide aid to the CPP-NPA terrorists that the long arms of the law will catch up with them in due time.
“We will have no let up on our Focused Military Operations until such time that our communities will be free from the CPP-NPA terrorists’ coercion and intimidation, while working closely with our LGUs for the resolution of issues and the empowerment of the local residents within the conflict-affected areas through our Community Support Program,” the 403rd Brigade commander said.