DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 25, 2013) – Philippine soldiers on Saturday arrested a man who was transporting anti-tank explosives in Davao City in the southern region of Mindanao.
The man, Joey Atienza, was driving his motorcycle when soldiers intercepted him in a checkpoint in the village of Mabuhay in Paquibato district, a known lair of the communist New People’s Army rebels.
Lt. Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 69th Infantry Battalion, said the 33-year old man is being interrogated on suspicion that he is a member of the NPA.
He said troops recovered 6 anti-tank explosives from Atienza.
“Malamang NPA ito. (The arrest) was made possible because of the cooperation and support extended by the residents of Paquibato who revealed the illegal and criminal activities of the NPA in the area,” Pasaporte said.
“This is a clear manifestation that the people residing in the area of Paquibato are fed up with the terrorist activities and have long wanted peace in Paquibato,” he added.
The NPA has been fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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