PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao

City Contact Number: (082) 302-2061 Press Release September 18, 2011

Soldiers encounter NPA bandits in Malita Davao Del Sur

MALITA, Davao Del Sur - Peace and Development Teams (PDT) of Task Group Mulawin, under 1002nd Infantry Brigade, encountered more than 20 NPA bandits at Sitio Tambolang, Brgy. Datu Danwata, Malita Davao Del Sur at about 7: 30 am, September 16, 2011. According to Lt Colonel Adolfo Espuelas Jr., Task Group Mulawin Commander, the PDTs are conducting survey and needs assessment in the communities when concerned residents disclosed that some NPA bandits are just within the periphery of the barangay doing extorting stuff from the people. A 30-minute fire fight ensued when the NPA bandits suddenly fired upon to the troops conducting survey. Overwhelming retaliation from the troops forced the NPA bandits to withdraw leaving behind one (1) US Caliber .30, Carbine rifle with magazines, two (2) pieces Motorola Handheld radios, two (2) pieces Claymore mines and other improvised explosive device materials, medical paraphernalias, documents and other personal belongings of the bandits. The local officials believed that the criminal group New Peoples Army encountered by the government troops were the same group responsible for the murder of Brgy. Captain Ramon Danwata last January 8, 2011, of which the murder case has been filed already by his family. The ongoing Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in Malita enhances the LGUs capacity to deliver basic social services especially in far-flung barangays, Espuelas added. -30Released by: LTC LYNDON V. PANIZA INF (GSC) PA Spokesperson 10th Infantry Agila Division, Philippine Army Contact # 0917-7110146 Email add: dpao10id@yahoo.com