6 soldiers hurt, plywood plant torched in ComVal clashes

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Six government troops were injured following a series of clashes between soldiers and New People’s Army rebels in Compostela Valley on Sunday.

The encounters in Nabunturan and Pantukan town happened just hours apart, in a string of attacks by communist guerrillas in southern Mindanao, with rebels also torching at least two plywood plants, according to Senior Inspector Gretchin Cinco, deputy public information officer for the Davao regional police office.

In Pantukan town in Compostela Valley, a junior army officer and four of his men were hurt during a clash with at least 70 rebels in Napnapan village around 4:45 p.m., Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Compostela Valley police chief, said.

A platoon of soldiers from the 10th Infantry Division was on combat patrol when they ran into members of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 3 under a certain Eddie Genelsa alias Lando, sparking a fierce gun battle that wounded Silva and Privates First Class Baniqued, Paredes, Puyao and Tomas.

Col. Roberto Domines, commander of the army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, confirmed the clashes but declined to give additional details.

A soldier was also wounded when rebels harassed troops deployed as peace and development teams in Bayabas village, Nabunturan town also in Compostela Valley past 3 p.m. Sunday, setting off a 45-minute clash, Aquino said.

At least P9 million worth of property was destroyed after 10 armed men torched the Woodcor Veneer plant in Magdum village, Tagum City, in Davao del Norte around 8:30 p.m., Senior Superintendent Edgardo Wycoco, Davao del Norte police chief, said, quoting the firm’s caretaker, a certain Winnie Galarpe.

Two hours after the Tagum incident, armed men believed members of the NPA’s PBC-3 also set on fire equipment of a mini-sawmill owned by Atty. Henry Sembrano in Cuambog village, Mabini town, in Compostela Valley.

Police officials declined to comment on reports the NPA perpetrated the arson incidents, saying investigations are still being conducted. But rebels are known to target sawmills and other companies for refusal to pay up the so-called revolutionary taxes, according to the military.