CPP-NPA Rebels Step Up Attacks

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing, the New Peoples Army, stepped up its attacks on government troops and perceived military supporters in Bicol Region during the holiday season.

Despite the agreed ceasefire during the Christmas season, more or less 10 heavily armed communist terrorist rebels abducted a certain Leopoldo Agnote, 34yrs old, married and a resident of Brgy Salvacion, Pasacao, Camarines Sur on 25 December 2009 at 11am while the latter was celebrating Christmas at the house of his neighbor identified as Lando Volante. Major Harold Cabunoc, 9ID spokesperson, said that Agnote is suspected by the CPP-NPA-NDF to be a military informant. He added that the communist terrorists also killed a policeman identified as PO2 Dongo in Masbate Province during the ceasefire period.

Meanwhile, a detachment of Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Company of 22nd (CAFGU) Battalion was harassed by more or less 10 CPP-NPA members positioned in the northwestern portion, 250meters from said detachment. Soldiers and CAFGU personnel in the detachment returned fire, employing the snipers manning the watch towers, forcing the rebels to withdraw. Pursuing soldiers discovered spent shells of high-caliber firearms along the route of enemy withdrawal.

In an unrelated incident, joint elements of 9ID and PNP-Labo led by SSg Endencio apprehended a communist terrorist identified as Arnulfo Jalimao in Barangay Bautista, Labo, Camarines Norte.. According to the report, Jalimao is one of the perpetrators who harassed the PNP Detachment in Sitio Dumagmang, Barangay Nalisbitan of said municipality last July 14, 2008 that resulted in the killing of PO1 Rodel Lasim and wounding of four others. Major Cabunoc said Jalimao has pending criminal cases including murder and double frustrated murder at Branch 64, MTC Labo under Judge Delimios Gomez. The arrested rebel was turned-over to PNP-Labo for proper disposition.

9ID Soldiers Entertain Evacuees In Albay

In one of their visits to various evacuation centers, soldiers of 9ID gamely entertained displaced residents, mostly children, who were tempoparily housed in Daraga North Central School, Daraga, Albay.

CAMP SIMEON OLA, Legaspi City – Evacuees in Legaspi City benefitted the psychosocial care services provided by soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division who visited the evacuation centers yesterday, December 24, 2009.

Major Harold M. Cabunoc, Spokesman of 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said that a live music performance was rendered by the 31st Infantry Battalion Combo before a crowd of evacuees temporarily sheltered in San Roque Elementary School, Legaspi City, at around 8pm.

A jubilant crowd, mostly composed of children, joined the performers in dancing and merry-making as Mt Mayon continuously spewed ash and molten lava, signaling a major explosion in the next few days.

Earlier in the day, more or less two-hundred children in Gogon Evacuation Center enjoyed the ice cream provided by the Philippine Military Academy “Bantay-Laya” Class of 1994 at around 3:00 pm.

The people of Albay have expressed their appreciation for the selfless dedication and sacrifices by members of the 9th Infantry Division who continuously help them address their various needs in the evacuation centers.

PERSUASION, NOT FORCED EVACUATION. Major Harold Cabunoc casually converses with Mr. Zaldy Nieva and his friend. Likewise, Major Cabunoc tried to respecfully persuade the two residents to voluntarily leave the 6km danger zone in Brgy. Mabinit, Legaspi City on December 24, 2009.

4 HPFAs Unearthed By 9IB Troops

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – A squad of soldiers belonging to the 9th Infantry Battalion recovered high-powered firearms (HPFAs) and ammunition in a retrieval operations conducted on December 9, 2009 in Brgy Santa Fe, Mandaon, Masbate.

According to Major Harold M. Cabunoc, spokesman of 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, the 9-man squad led by Cpl Jamon recovered assorted firearms from a cache located in an isolated area in Brgy Santa Fe, Mandaon, Masbate. The recovered items include one (1) 40mm Grenade Launcher, one (1) KG9 Machine Pistol, two (2) Cal .38 Revolver and assorted ammunition.

The latest firearms recovery is a result of a tip-off from a resident who has close contact with the CPP/NPA/NDF in the area. It was revealed that the firearms belonged to the band of local communist rebels which figured in an encounter against 9IB troops in the same barangay on 31 October 2009.

The soldiers are intensifying its efforts to control the proliferation of firearms in the province as election period is fast approaching. Major General Ruperto R Pabustan, commander of the 9th Infantry Division, directed 9IB troopers to further intensify their ISO campaign in coordination with the PNP and the other local government agencies in the area.

3SRB Troops Conducted Info Drive On The Use Of Landmines

Troops of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion led by their commanding officer, LTC Cirilito Sobejana, conducted an information drive in Juban, Sorsogon regarding the disastrous effects of landmines to the civilian populace. The audience were members of LGU-Juban and concerned residents. LTC Cirilito Sobejana explained the dangers posed to the communities of the NPA rebels' rampant use of landmines, especially those hidden and unexploded landmines, in the Bicol region.

Recovered NPA rebels' landmines during an armed encounter between Scout Rangers and NPA terrorists early this year in Sorosogon province.

*The United Nations banned the use of landmines in warfare since 1997.

2 NPA Rebels Captured By Army And PNP Troops In Catanduanes

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Two (2) members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) were arrested by the joint forces of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police following combined operations in Barangay Napo, Viga Catanduanes on November 20, 2009, a regional Army spokesman said.

Army Major Harold M. Cabunoc, spokesman of 9th Infantry Division, revealed that a certain Jodel Tohot AKA Arnel was arrested by the at around 10:30am by combined elements of 83rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and Viga PNP personnel. He said that Tohot is an active member of the NPA operating in the said municipality.

In a follow up operation, at around 4:30pm of the same day, another NPA member was arrested by the same group using the information provided by Tohot. The said rebel was identified as Nelson Alegre and reported to be operating in the municipality of Caramoran, Catanduanes. Both captive rebels are brought to 83IB for custodial debriefing.

Major Cabunoc further stated that another 13 NPA rebels were captured by 9ID troops for the month of November alone. The neutralization of other active NPA rebels was accomplished through the help of the surrenderors of the 83IB under LTC Romeo Basco. So far, a total of 44 rebels have already surrendered to 9ID troops this year only.