Alleged NPA killed in clash with military in Quezon

April 1, 2020

An alleged member of New People's Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with the military in Quezon province  Tuesday afternoon.

Maj. Marco Antonio Magisa, civil military operations officer of the 2nd Infantry Division, said the clash occurred at the vicinity of Brgy Bungahan of Gumaca around 4 pm.

Magisa said soldiers were distributing leaflets as part of their campaign to support the government’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 when they were informed that about 30 armed men were in the area.

Magisa said "according to the military, the troops were forced to act on the report considering the close location of the NPA terrorists to the village which is considered as an unacceptable action due to the imminent threat towards the community.

"Brigadier General Norwyn Romeo Tolentino, 201nd Infantry Brigade commander said “the NPA’s proximity to the soldiers’ location posed a clear and present danger not only to our forces but also to the people whom they are extorting from”.

“The NPA terrorists’ act of asking for food and money from the community, particularly during this time of COVID-19 crisis wherein people are deprived of their means of living, is not only insensitive but also despicable and hideous that no form of explanation will ever be acceptable”, he added.

Magisa said troops also recovered a grenade, an improvised explosive device and a backpack containing enemy documents with high intelligence value.Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, emphasized the importance of the information from concerned citizens in the community.

“Similar to the NPA’s initial violation of ceasefire provisions in Rodriguez, Rizal last Saturday, our soldiers would have failed to defend themselves as well as the community and the people whom we have sworn to protect if not for the timely information given by the concerned citizen”, he said. Robina Asido/DMS