2 NPA Bandits killed, 1 Wounded in Zamboanga del Norte clash

By KIT KAIMO

DIPOLOG, ZANORTE –  Two still unidentified NPA bandits were killed and another wounded in a clash with the Tabak troopers on security patrol in Sitio Napolan, Brgy.Tinuyop, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte Wednesday about 3:00 p.m.  December 5. The clash also resulted the recovery of one assault rifle (M16) from the bandits’ side and one trooper wounded on the government side.

10^th Infantry Battalion (10^th IB) Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Taharudin P. Ampatuan said that his troops went to the area to respond reports from residents who were victims (requested not to be identified) of NPA extortion activities in the area about the presence of the said bandits once again conducting the same among the residents. “These bandits belong to the extortion unit of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC)” Lt. Col. Ampatuan said.

After an hour of fire fight, the bandits more or less twenty fled towards different directions to escape. Security operations by the troops are still on-going. Local PNP supported the troops by putting-up checkpoints along the possible escape route of the bandits.

Meanwhile, 1^st ID Chief Maj. General Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III lauded the civilian informant who reported the presence of the bandits. He further extoled the involved troops of the 10^th IB who instantly responded in area. “This is another success of the Filipino people, in the spirit of bayanihan, we can always win in this fight against extortion activities and harassments by the NPA bandits”. MGen. Cruz said.