NPA plan to attack 2 Surigao towns, telecom towers bared

PLACER, Surigao del Norte — Communist guerrillas had planned to attack two towns and transmission facilities of major telecommunications companies in Surigao del Norte, the military said, citing documents seized in recent clashes.

Col. Rogelio Rosete, commanding officer of the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade, made the disclosure during the surrender of six young New People’s Army (NPA) cadres here last Friday.

"The NPA was really determined to attack and bring down the communication towers as the documents showed, but unfortunately, by God’s grace, they were foiled," he said.

The NPA, the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines, marks its 35th anniversary today.

Rosete said some 300 NPA regulars in Surigao del Norte were about to carry out the plan when patrolling foot soldiers chanced upon part of the rebel group, numbering about a hundred, in Barangay Mahanub, Gigaquit town last March 19.

A 30-minute firefight ensued, resulting in the deaths of eight guerrillas and the wounding of three soldiers, identified as Sgt. Mamerto Galacio, Sgt. Jose Oliva and Pfc. Leo Boglosa.

During hot pursuit, government troops, headed by 2Lt. Errol Solamo, caught up with the insurgents in Barangay Camaman-on, also in Gigaquit town. Six rebels were killed and two soldiers — Sgt. Allan Cruz and Pfc. Sali Tapsi — were wounded in the clash.

During these encounters, Rosete said documents were seized, substantiating earlier intelligence reports that the NPA was planning to attack Alegria and Mainit towns and the communication towers of private companies and the Department of Transportation and Communications in these areas.

Rosete and other 401st IB officers briefed Maj. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, commanding general of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, about the situation in the Caraga region during Bagasin’s visit last Friday.

Lt. Col. Ronald Albano, commanding officer of the 30th IB, presented to Bagasin the six rebel returnees and the five firearms they had yielded.