DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 12, 2012) – Communist rebels on Thursday attacked two army posts wounding 2 government militias in the southern Philippine city of Davao, officials said.
The attacks occurred before dawn in the village called Malabog in Paquibato district, said Army Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division.
He blamed the New People’s Army for the twin raids that wounded two militias. “Two militias were wounded in the fighting. The Army shall provide the best possible medical attention to the brave militiamen who are fighting to keep Paquibato free from the clutch of terrorism from the lawless group of NPA,” Paniza said.
He said the attacks will not hamper the military’s peace and development efforts in Davao where rebel forces are actively operating. “The encounter is the first in Paquibato this year. Despite the attacks, the soldiers shall continue to reach out to the public through the peace and development program,” he said, adding the attack was a desperate attempt by rebels to show they are still capable of fighting state forces.
“They are on the brink of desperation knowing that they are becoming irrelevant hence the attacks to project strength,” Paniza said.
There was no report of rebel casualties, but Paniza said troops were pursuing the NPA band in Paquibato.
The rebels are fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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