PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY

Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City
Contact Number: (082) 235-1041

Press Release December 5, 2010

Army clash NPA extortionists in Compostela Valley Province

At 8:15 in the morning, today, Army soldiers belonging to the 2nd Scout Ranger
Battalion clashed with NPA rebels in Brgy. Tandik Maragusan, Compostela Valley
Province.

The government troops were conducting security operations in the area to

protect the people from NPA harassment and extortion activities when they were fired
upon by the NPA members who were earlier reported to be conducting extortion
activities victimizing civilian residents of said place.

Trained for maneuvre and effective delivery of firepower, the soldiers outfought
the NPA rebels forcing the latter to abandon their positions and the dead body of one of
their dead comrades. One M16 rifle was also recovered by the government troops at the
encounter site.

It can be recalled that another encounter took place 5 days ago in Brgy Paloc of
same Municipality based on the information received by government troops about the
presence of armed men also extorting from small miners in nearby Pamintaran area the
amount of P50,000 each . Six NPA rebels were reportedly killed in that encounter.

The soldiers will bring the cadaver of the dead NPA member to a funeral parlour
in Brgy. Poblacion, Maragusan for proper disposition. Mayor Cesar Colina of the
Munipality of Maragusan committed to extend assistance for the funeral services as he
waits for the arrival of the relatives of the dead rebel.

Lt.Col Medel Aguilar, 10ID spokesperson said “The death of the NPA member
could have been avoided if he did not join the NPA and engage in criminal acts.” “The
10ID will conduct operation whenever there is an imminent threat to the lives and
economic activities of our people.” He added

Not long ago, same NPA group is responsible in the ambush of military
personnel, teachers, and civilians who rendered election duty during the May 10
National and Local Elections which resulted to the killing of one election watcher.
 Despite of the incident, the 10th ID will continue to reach out to the NPA rebels to
embrace the peace and friendship it offers through the deployment of Peace and
Development Teams in the different Barangays in its AOR.

Col Roberto Domines Jr, Commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade which covers
the area said, “Foremost to our concern is the safety of the residents and the
maintenance of peace and security in the area that will pave the way for implementation
of sustainable development programs in Maragusan.” “We cannot allow violence to
continue in our area of responsibility like the burning of 5 container vans belonging to a
big company operating in Maragusan which same NPA groups has perpetrated in
August this year,” he added.

Released by:

LTC MEDEL M AGUILAR PA

Public Information Officer
Cell No: 09177012377
Email add: dpao10id@yahoo.com
Website: www.agila10id.com