Press Release Army Foils Armed Group Attack

January 17, 2012

CAMP PANACAN, Davao City- 10th Infantry Divisions Peace and Development Team thwarted an attack perpetrated by organized armed group on Monday afternoon in Brgy. Malinawon, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province. According to 10th IDs Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, government troops were able to repulse the attack. They were able to counter the attack and exchanged fire that ensued to a fire fight of about one hour after which the criminal group immediately withdraw towards the boundary of Nabunturan, he said. He added that the residents in the area reported the presence of an armed group on board a carnapped Sadam Truck heading towards a banana plantation to harass the residents to give in to their extortion demands." Paniza said that the residents were threatened by the presence of the group and, according to him, that alone violates the rights of civilians who are residing and, at the same time, working in said plantation. Furthermore, the Spokesman added that the encounter resulted to the death of the six members of the armed group and the recovery of an improvised landmine and five high powered fire arms to include two M16, two M14 and one calibre 30 Machine gun. We are saddened with what happened to the casualties since they are also Filipinos. However, due to the deception and false promises of some groups, they engage to criminal acts and sacrifice themselves for the wrong cause, he said. We immediately established blockade at the possible route of withdrawal to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent them to create further assault in the area, he said. Paniza lauds the immediate response of the residents and workers in the plantation. The successful defense was due to the timely information by the community who were fed up of these criminals and fast reaction of the government troops, he said.

-End-