Mt. Province town suspends farming, tourism after PNP-NPA clash

BAGUIO CITY — All farming and tourism activities have been suspended in the Mt. Province town of Bauko on Monday, April 1, due to pursuit operations being conducted by the police against communist rebels who killed a policeman and injured another during a March 29 gun battle at Mt. Kapuwaw.

Bauko tourism officer Arsenia Addon advised residents to “confine their activities to barangay centers or populated areas,” and to steer clear of the rugged mountains straddling Bauko and Tadian town in Mt. Province, and parts of Buguias town in Benguet province.

On Sunday, March 31, local residents reported hearing gunfire and explosions in the borders of Bauko and Tadian.

Members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Leonardo Pacsi Command fled towards the boundary area after engaging the Cordillera Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion in a 15-minute firefight at Bagnen village. Police Patrolman Wilfredo Padawil was killed in the clash that injured Police Corporal Irpeel Lapniten.

The Leonardo Pacsi Command admitted responsibility for the attack, which was timed with the NPA’s 50th anniversary commemoration on March 29. /kga