NPA attacks Army detachment in Davao del Sur

MATANAO, DAVAO DEL SUR – Troops from the 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) are on high alert after armed men believed to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked their detachment around 3 a.m. on Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. Danny Salmorin, first platoon leader, said seven men fired at their detachment in Barangay Asinan, triggering a 20-minute firefight. No one was hurt.

Recovered from the scene were three empty shells of AK47, 21 empty shells of M14 rifles and six empty shells of M16 rifles, said Senior Insp. Yancee Butch Golocan, commander of the Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, 39th IB commanding officer, ordered all detachment commanders to be on high alert and to continue conducting foot patrols.

The Communist Party of the Philippines declared a unilateral ceasefire for the Christmas holidays and the party’s 50th year anniversary and another one for the New Year. ORLANDO B. DINOY