1st Pulang Bagani Company
Merardo Arce Command
Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command
New People’s Army
Press Statement
12 July 2012
1st PBC-NPA hits 84th IB, 69th IB troops; 5 AFP casualties reported
AFP troops operating in the countrysides of Davao City, particularly Paquibato, Calinan and Marilog districts suffered five casualties from the sniping operations of the 1st Pulang Bagani Company-New People’s Army in three separate incidents on July 8 and 9.
The NPA actions were in retaliation to the strike, intelligence and civic military operations of the 69th Infantry Battalion and 84th IB of the Philippine Army and paramilitary Cafgus. These troops have been responsible for the series of landgrabbing, dislocation and mining preparation in Marilog, profiling and psychological warfare in Paquibato and Calinan district.
On the evening of July 8, the NPA lobbed a grenade at the Special Operation Team (SOT) of the 69th IB at Upper Mabuhay, Paquibato. Three soldiers were wounded, one of them suffering grave physical injuries. The next day, the NPA sniped the 84th IB’s SOT in Barangay Dominga, Calinan district, killing one soldier. One soldier was also killed in a separate sniping action in Barangay Dalagdag.
The AFP troops started its squad-sized operations spread in all barangays of Paquibato and Calinan district, and some parts of Marilog district during the last week of June. Company-sized forces were also maintained by the two AFP units. Under its SOT activities, the AFP would oftentimes pose as Red fighters to deceive the masses. But instead of endearing themselves to the peasant and Lumad masses, they are hated and feared. They may enjoy the support of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, but they are abhorred in the hearts of the masses who can clearly see beyond the peace and development masquerade, and who anticipate to be at the receiving end of the AFP’s human rights abuses.
(SGD) Ka Parago
1st Pulang Bagani Company
Merardo Arce Command
Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command
