Seized rifles in N. Cotabato clash from NPA—10th ID

MANILA—The three automatic rifles captured during Sunday’s encounter in Makilala, North Cotabato, which also resulted in the death of one suspect, are reportedly from the New People’s Army (NPA).

This was confirmed by 10th Infantry Division public affairs office chief Capt. Rhyan Batchar in a statement.

“The confirmation came after the PNP SOCO (Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives) processed the incident site and examined the recovered cadaver of a dead man and war items which include three high-powered rifles, three improvised explosive devices, 15 backpacks loaded with personal belongings, two handheld radios, assorted medical supplies and several subversive documents,” he added.

The clash which took place 5:30 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Biangan, Makilala town, of the above-mentioned province, stemmed from alleged NPA harassment of a truck driver from the Santos Land Development Corporation on Saturday afternoon.

The harassment stemmed from the company’s refusal to give in to the rebels’ extortion attempts.

This prompted troops from the 39th Infantry Battalion and the Makilala Police Station to conduct operations, resulting in an hour-long firefight with inconclusive results.

Succeeding operations, 5:30 a.m. Sunday, also resulting in another encounter, only this time, a suspected rebel was killed and three automatic rifles seized in the a 30-minute gun-battle.

Several extortion letters signed by a certain Ricardo Fermiza, spokesman of Guerilla 51, Davao del Sur-North Cotabato Operation Command of the NPA, Southern Mindanao Region were also recovered.

Per reports, Fermiza had been extorting from business owners and ordinary civilians since 2014.

The said items were brought by PNP SOCO at the Provincial Crime Laboratory in Kidapawan City for further evaluation and proper disposition.

On the other-hand, the recovered body was identified as Rojit Estampa Ranara, 33, married, resident of Sito Patulangon, Brgy Zone 1, Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur.

The cadaver was claimed by his sister Lolita Estampa Ranara.

Ranara’s remains are now at Torreda Funeral Homes, Makilala, North Cotabato.

“It is very sad that while the peace talks is on-going, there are armed groups who continue to use force and violence to terrorize and extort from the people,” 10th Infantry Division head Major General Valencia said.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines together with the PNP as mandated by law, will always take actions to secure and protect the people against these wanton attacks,” he added.