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By KIMBERLIE QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The New People’s Army (NPA) West Central Luzon command said the supposed gun battle between them and government forces in Mangatarem, Pangasinan on November 24 was “fake”.

In their November 26 statement, the communist guerillas said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made up an encounter to cover up their indiscriminate bombing and firing in the area.

“The truth is, there was no NPA unit in the area that day,” the NPA statement said in Filipino

According to the NPA, there is an ongoing AFP joint exercise involving the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army and Special Operations Forces from November 23 to December 4.

The NPA accused the military of causing fear among the residents. They added that the operations barred residents from working their land and going to their sources of livelihood.

The 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army claimed they overrun an NPA camp in the mountainous area in Barangay Lawak Langka after engaging rebels in a gunfight.

According to the 702nd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Audrey Pasia, government troops they fought against some 40 heavily armed rebels. The official said their soldiers asked for reinforcement after realizing the rebels outnumbered them.

“Additional forces were flown in by helicopters to provide close air support and reinforce the engaged troops,” he said.

The site of the clash is along the provincial tri-boundary of Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales. There were no reported casualties on both sides.

The 702nd command has terminated its combat operations in the area on November 27. They are now enhancing their intelligence security operations to locate the rebels. According to their latest report, the NPA divided its fighters into small teams as they retreated to Tarlac and Zambales. # nordis.net