Army thwarts NPA extortion scheme in Calatrava town

SAGAY CITY, Negros Occidental – Troops of the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion have thwarted an extortion activity of the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) after engaging in a firefight to more or less five (5) CNTs in Sitio Ania Dos, Brgy Winaswasan, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on December 5, 2021 (Sunday).

According to Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, Commanding Officer of 79IB, an encounter broke out while the troops were conducting combat operation in response to an information from concerned citizens on the presence of armed men reportedly conducting extortion activities in the area.

“Our troops received information from concerned citizens that a group of armed men were threatening and collecting food by force from the residents, not only in barangay Winaswasan but also to the neighboring barangays,” said Lt.Col. Javines.

The rebels fled in different directions after a seven minute firefight. No casualty was reported on the government side while the rebels were believed to have suffered casualties based on the traces of bloodstains in their route of withdrawal.

“Pursuit operations against the communist terrorists are still ongoing and close coordination with other government forces were already conducted while the neighboring stations were also alerted for possible interception of the fleeing rebels, who scampered at the height of the firefight,” Lt.Col. Javines added.*