Compostela Valley, Philippines

THIEVES believed to be former Moro rebel integrees of the Philippine Army ransacked the Army engineering brigade’s armory in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, Saturday evening.The rebels were able to run off with several high-powered firearms.

Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao showed that the 534th Engineering Battalion’s armory was ransacked around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Fifteen M16 rifles, two M203, three M14 and one M60 machinegun were carted away by the thieves.  By Ben O. Tesiorna

Sun.Star Davao

TAGUM CITY, Philippines–Police said they foiled an attack by suspected communist New People’s Army rebels on a police detachment in Mawab town, Compostela Valley early Sunday.

An undetermined number of communist guerrillas fired at the outpost of the Mawab police along the national highway in Barangay (Village) Poblacion at around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Supt. Ronald Dela Rosa, Compostela Valley police chief.

The structure sustained damage but there were no casualties from the government side when the attackers fired several rounds of M-79 grenades at the outpost.

INQUIRER.net 

THE City Government of Davao gave relief goods to evacuees from Compostela Valley who are now staying at the Barangay 5-A Gym, but Vice Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said the city cannot continue to support them for the undetermined period of their stay.

“The lumads are from ComVal brought to the city by Bayan. This is according to Barangay Captain Edgar Ibuyan. They asked permission from him to use the gym although Bayan did not inform the city beforehand of this,” Duterte said.

Based on the figures given to her by Ibuyan, the vice mayor said the total count has reached 557 — 449 adults, 83 children. There are also 25 adults who arrived from Boston, Davao Oriental recently.

“Majority of them are evacuees, some are supporters of the evacuees and some are here for the burial of Celso Pojas,” Duterte said.

Slain militant leader Celso Pojas was laid to rest Friday.

Duterte said about 300 will head home after the burial, while those who will be left behind still do not know when they can come home. By Grace L. Plata

Sun.Star Davao

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the effort of Compostela Valley Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy to initiate a local peace talks in the province that has been the center of the series of military operations and attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA).

In a text message Friday, AFP’s 5th Civil Relations Group chief Major Medel Aguilar said no less than AFP chief of staff Lieutenant General Alexander Yano declared during his visit in Davao City last week the AFP’s support any peace negotiation, be it in the local or national level.

“We have seen the plight of affected civilians and the sincere effort of the local government to help their constituents. From this difficult situation, we can rise to face thee challenge and find solutions to attain lasting peace in our locality,” Aguilar said.

The Army major, however, clarified that the military operations in ComVal would not be stopped as it is meant to remove armed groups that threaten the security.

Sun.Star Davao