THE military has deployed more troops in Cagayan province following the alleged resurgence of activities by communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in the province.
The deployment of additional soldiers was also a part of the military’s security efforts for the upcoming barangay elections, said Capt. Jefferson Somera, spokesman of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5th ID).
Just recently, elements of the 17th Infantry Battalion (17th IB) engaged rebels at Barangay Balanni, Santo Niño, Cagayan, which came in the aftermath of reports that guerrillas in Cagayan were reorganizing.
Maj. Gen. Perfecto Rimando Jr., 5th ID commander, has confirmed the regrouping of the rebels, apparently as a part of their efforts to intensify their activities in the province.
“The series of skirmishes between the 17th IB troopers and the [NPA], confirmed the regrouping of the group in Zinundungan Valley,” he said. “That is what we are preventing—the launching of their plans against the people, local officials and our troops in connection with the upcoming election.”
During the firefight in Santo Niño, Lt. Col. Camilo Saddam, commander of the 17th IB, said five of his men were wounded after they triggered an improvised explosive device as they pursued the guerrillas.
Rimando added the activities of the NPA in Cagayan must be checked and, hence, they need to deploy more soldiers there.
“To address the plans of the [NPAs], we need to push more troops to cover the areas of concern in Cagayan in collaboration with the police and local government officials,” he said.
“If we desire to have a peaceful community, we need to make a firm stance to get rid of the [NPAs],” he added.