Armedforces of the Philippines

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AFP News Release

7ID IN RESPONSE TO TYPHOON CHEDENG AND DODONG
14 Aug 07
Bounded by duty, heroism and dedication, the soldiers of the 7th Infantry Division conducted Disaster Relief and Rescue Operation (DRRO) on areas affected by typhoon Chedeng and Dodong. Last August 9,Thursday,typhoon Chedeng and Dodong hiy most part of Central Luzon leaving provinces of Bulacan and Bataan devastated by flood. Four municipalities in Bulacan, 4 in Pampanga, 1 in Bataan and 4 in Zambales were 2-3 ft under water. The 7ID troops particularly those assigned in the areas rescued and gave relief goods such as used clothes and assorted goods to the people victimized by said typhoons.

PA women exploited by male cadres
10 August 2007
Camp Aquino, Tarlac City- This was the reaction of NOLCOM Chief Lieutenant General Bonifacio Ramos when asked to comment about the death of three NPA amazons as a result of the terrorists’ encounter against elements of 52DRC, 5th Infantry Division last July 30 in Sitio Lumalog, Barangay Cadsalan, San Mariano, Isabela. Not a single male casualty was recovered by government troops, although witnesses to the firefight believed that many rebels were seriously wounded based on the bloodstains in the route of withdrawal. They left the three amazons to single-handedly defend themselves while their male comrades hastily abandoned the site making sure that no one gets caught by the pursuing soldiers, was the report that reached NOLCOM Headquarters. The said encounter resulted to the seizure of the CPP/NPA training camp that has 20 bunkers, 1 kitchen, 1 classroom, 1 latrine and 3 guard posts with water supply made of PVC hose. Also recovered from the site were 1 M16 rifle, 5 hand grenades, 1 roll detonating cord, 1 roll electrical wire, assorted electrical materials, medical and dental paraphernalia, 10 backpacks, 4 sacks of NPA personal belongings and subversive documents.

27 ASG/rouge MNLF and 15 soldiers killed in Sulu
10 August 2007
About 27 members from the combined ASG and rouge MNLF were estimated killed while scores were wounded in an encounter with soldiers belonging to the 33rd Infantry Battalion at Brgy. Tambaking, Maimbung, Sulu at 3:20 p.m. on August 9. Fifteen soldiers were also killed while 10 others were wounded in the said encounter. The operating troops under Lt. Col. Divino Rey C. Pabayo, Commanding Officer of the said unit were conducting pursuit operations against the ASG/rogue MNLF group who earlier ambushed the troops at Indanan town when they engaged about 120 heavily armed men in a three-hour firefight. Said group is believed to be the main body of the combined ASG/MNLF group under Dr. Abu and another unidentified leader. One killed from the ASG was identified as Salip Edimar, the close-in security of ASG leader Radullah Sahiron. It was also reported that the son of Dr. Abu was killed in the said encounter. Meanwhile, the names of the soldier-casualties were not yet released as of this report. The enemy scampered towards northeast and southwest directions as the government troops continue conducting pursuit operations against the said ASG/MNLF group. #

48TH IB NAGPALITAN NG PAMUNUAN, RETRAINING PINASIMULAN
10 August 2007
Ginanap ang pagpapalitan ng pamunuan sa pagitan nina Tenyente Koronel Joselito E Kakilala (INF) PA ang dating Puno ng 48th Infantry Battalion, 7ID at ang bagong namumuno na na si Tenyente Koronel Natalio Jayson (INF) PA, kaalinsabay ng muling pagsasanay sa mahigit kumulang na apat na raang (400) tropa ng batalyon upang maging higit ang kakayahan pagdating sa pakikibaka sa mga kaaway ng pamahalaan. Sa magkaalinsabay na okasyon naging panauhing pandangal at tagapagsalita si MGen Juanito P Gomez ang Punong Heneral ng 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. Tampok dito ang pagbibigay gawad parangal ng “Military Merit Medal kasama ng Bronze Spearhead Device (Combat)” para sa kanilang mahusay na pagganap sa kani kanilang tungkulin sa pagsugpo ng komunismo at pagpapanatili ng katahimikan at kaayusan ng kanilang nasasakupan na nagbigay ng tagumpay di lamang sa batalyon maging sa buong dibisyon. Ang mga ito ay sina: Corporal Leo Beriña, Corporal James Guina, Private First Class Marcelino Faoilan and Private First Class Jack Alcayde

AFP’s Bomb Experts Recovered Explosives in Sorsogon
08 August 2007
Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City – Government troops belonging to the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division together with elements of 43rd Explosive Ordnance Demolition Team (43EODT), Explosive Ordnance Battalion (EODBN) from Legaspi City recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at Brgy Jagusara, Juban, Sorsogon on August 2 (Thursday) at 2:45 pm. In his report, Brig Gen Arsenio Arugay, Army’s 9th Infantry Division Chief disclosed that one (1) section of Reconnaissance Platoon led by 2Lt Aranas of 2nd Infantry Battalion, 9ID, PA together with elements of 43EODT, EODBN from Legaspi City led by Staff Sergeant Daria recovered improvised explosive devices composed of two (2) improvised anti-personnel claymore mines, two (2) anti-personnel improvised cylindrical mines, thirteen (13) molotov’s bomb and more or less three hundred (300) meters of ignition wires.

NPA Regular Members Surrender with High Powered Firearms
08 August 2007
Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City – Two NPA regular members surrendered to the government troops in separate occasions on August 4 and Aug 6, 2007. One of the surrenderors have turned over three (3) high powered firearms composed of two (2) M16 and one (1) M1 Garand rifles. In his report, Maj Gen Fernando Mesa, Army’s 2nd Infantry Division chief, disclosed that on August 4, (Saturday) at 9:30 am, a certain Divina A Paray aka Cindy, 19 years old, member of Panlabang Yunit Gerilya (PYG) of the Apolonio Mendoza Command under certain ka Binoy and resident of Brgy Lual, Mauban, Quezon voluntarily surrendered to the Commanding Officer of 3rd Special Forces Company, 1st SF Battalion of the Army’s Special Operations Command. Initial investigation revealed that Paray was recruited by her uncle ka Binoy to join in the underground movement on May 25 2005.

3 NPA Terrorists Yield in Camarines Sur, Leyte and Quezon
08 August 2007
Three communist terrorists, one of them a minor, voluntarily surrendered to the Army in three separate incidents in Camarines Sur, Leyte and Quezon based on the reports reaching this headquarters. At 10:15 a.m. On august 6, CT member Arnel Dimaiwat alias Ryan/Boy, 29 years old, voluntarily yielded with firearms to Lt. Col. Alex DC Luna, Commanding Officer of 42nd Infantry Battalion at Brgy Nierva Nabua, Camarines Sur. He surrendered two M16 rifles and a Garand rifle. Alias Ryan, a resident of Brgy San Agustin, Iriga City was a member of the NPA’s Komite Seksyon sa Iskwad (KSSI), Komite Seksyon sa Platon (KSPN) Front Committee 76. His surrender was materialized through the assistance of Army operatives after a series of negotiation undertaken by members of 42IB. He decided to surrender after their group suffered a series of setbacks from the operating government troops. At 7 a.m. on August 5, NPA member Renante Estilmera y Consolar alias Aries/Jovel Yusel, 17 years old, surrendered to 1LT Frederick M. Chicote, Commanding Officer of Bravo Company, 43rd Infantry Battalion at Brgy Mahilum, Hindang, Leyte.

MOUNT BANAHAW: Center of Agriculture
03 August 2007
CAMP NAKAR, LUCENA CITY – The mountain of villages along the slopes of Mount Banahaw is previously controlled by the CPP/NPA/NDF. Due to the implementation of government programs and projects coupled with some military activities. the rebels were vanquished from the area that brought the farmers to start working from their own. The community has thrived well in agriculture while the farmers are free to improve their produce without the threat and extortion of CPP/NPA/NDF rebels. These farmers in fact blamed the rebels for the wide spread forest destruction when the villages were still dominated by the CPP/NPA rebels. In the absence of the CPP/NPA/NDF bandits, the rural communities and its people even those located in isolated areas, prospered through sheer hardwork and determination. Now, the mountain villages along Mount Banahaw, the once CPP/NPA/NDF stronghold have been transformed into a flourishing center of agriculture.

2 Civilians Killed in NPA Ambush
02 August 2007
Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City – Two (2) government troops and two (2) civilians were killed after a firefight with NPA rebels while going back to base from combat operations at Sitio Palaypay, Brgy Jagusara, Juban, Sorsogon on July 29, 2007 (Sunday). The soldiers belong to the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division based at Brgy Añog, Juban, Sorsogon In his report, Brig Gen Arsenio Arugay, Army’s 9th Infantry Division Chief disclosed that at about 10:00 pm on July 29, a platoon of soldiers belonging to the 2nd IB led by 2Lt Dumaog while conducting combat operations at vicinity boundary of Juban-Magallanes, Sorsogon were fired upon by undetermined number of communist terrorists. This triggered a four (4) hour fire fight (up to 2:00 am) The soldiers just came from clearing Barangay Pili, Magallanes when they were fired upon by the NPAs. Immediately, Lt Col Benigno Antonio, 2nd IB Chief, dispatched more of his troops to corner the rebels. Pursuit operations are still being conducted as of this report. Two (2) soldiers were killed in action (KIA) identified as Corporal Ronald Aurellana and Private First Class Jerry Badaguas while seven (7) others were wounded in action identified as Lt Dumaog, Corporal Depante, Private Aguila, Private Palencia Pfc Cereno, Pfc Bermido and Corporal Agagad. WIAs are now being treated at the Sorsogon Doctor’s Hospital. Two (2) other civilians were killed by enemy forces. They were identified as Mr Edwin Dioquino and Remar Dioquino. Their relatives have denounced the NPA rebels who have disregarded the safety of the innocent civilians in the area. Lt Gen Alexander Yano, SOLCOM Chief ordered the field and tactical commanders in Southern Luzon particularly in Sorsogon province to intensify manhunt operations against the NPAs in Sorsogon province.

Government Troops Discovered NPA Encampment in Quezon
02 August 2007
Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City – Government troops belonging to 74th Infantry Battalion led by 2Lt Cañada of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division discovered an NPA encampment during the conduct of combat operations at Sitio Alat-Alatin, Brgy San Francisco B, Lopez, Quezon early this morning (6:00 am, August 2). Maj Gen Fernando Mesa, Commanding General of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division reported to Lt Gen Alexander Yano, SOLCOM Chief, that on August 2 at 6:00 am, one (1) Reconnaissance Squad of 74th IB led by 2Lt Cañada while conducting combat operations at the above mentioned area, discovered an abandoned encampment of the NPA rebels. Said encampment is believed to be left by the rebels one (1) week ago. It has five (5) bunkers made of coconut leaves and a cave besides the encampment that can accommodate more or less thirty (30) persons. The government troops recovered the following items inside the cave: plastic for noodles, assorted empty canned goods and cigarette butts. LTC Amado Bustillos, Commanding Officer of the 74th IB said that the NPA rebels are believed to augment Guerilla Front Committee 41 (GFC-41) for execution of terroristic actions as well as their Ideological, Political and Organizational (IPO) works in Bondoc Peninsula.

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