Based on the report of the 67th IB, the residents from Brgy Lambog reported to the troops that they were being harassed and extorted by the NPA in the area. Acting on the said report, troops moved towards the Brgy and was fired upon by around 10 NPA’s of Guerilla Front 25, firefight ensued for 45 minutes resulting to the recovery of five (5) High Powered Rifle broken down to two M16 with serial number (SN) 220465 and 541954, one m14 SN 1409112, one AK47 with SN195400084884 and one M203 grenade launcher with SN 505752 and three NPA members killed in action while no casualty on the government side.
Names of the killed NPA members are being withheld as of press time prior to the notification of their next of kin.
On the other hand, troops of 66th Infantry Battalion based in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province also encountered members of Front 27 at Brgy Araibo, Pantukan in the afternoon on the same day that lead to the death of its Front Secretary and the recovery of his firearm.
It can be recalled that also last week, troops from 67 Infantry Battalion recovered cache of five high powered firearms with the help of the former rebel who reported the location of the firearms to the troops.
The troops in the area are constantly visiting the communities to follow up the livelihood projects being implemented by the Local Government Unit and Local Government Agencies thru the partnership of the 701st Infantry Brigade that covers the whole of Davao Oriental Province.
Colonel Reuben S Basiao INF (GSC) PA, Commander 701st Brigade in his statement said troops are there in the area to secure the people as part of our effort in conducting Community Support Program (CSP) and deliver basic services to the people together with other government agencies. Your Army here in Davao Oriental will always secure your safety as part of our mandate of protecting the people and securing the land.”