‘Marijuana’ seized from NPA lair during clash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Suspected dried marijuana leaves were recovered from an alleged rebel hideout following the latest firefight between Philippine Army soldiers and New People’s Army (NPA) members in Leon, Iloilo.

Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, said the fresh skirmish happened 11:44AM on January 26, 2021 at Sitio Langga, Barangay Danao, Leon.

The area is around two kilometers away from Sitio Tabionan, Barangay Bucari, Leon where a previous clash happened on January 24 between 61st IB troops and Sibat (SYP) Platoon of the NPA’s Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.

Danao village, which is around 17 kilometers from the Leon town proper, sits in the boundary of Iloilo and San Remigio town in Antique province.

Batara said they were not surprised that illegal drugs were recovered from the rebels’ temporary hideout.

“Even before, we already heard that there are rebels who are into illegal drugs use. Even their comrades who already surrendered could attest to that,” he said.

Just like Sunday’s encounter, the 61st IB figured in a gun battle with around 30 rebels led by Melgar “Mar” Besmanos.

The gunfight lasted for 30-minutes before rebels scampered to different directions.

Batara believed that Besmanos’ group could not inch further as they were keeping wounded comrades.

“May mga sugatan sila na kasama kaya hindi talaga sila makalayo. That’s why, we are calling on to them to surrender their wounded comrades so that proper medical attention would be given,” he said.

Batara said the rebels were caught by surprise as they left valuable items and belongings at the encounter site.

These include an M79 grenade launcher with 12 ammunition; a hand grenade; an anti-personnel landmine with 50-meter detonating cord; 16 rounds ammunition for 7.62mm rifle; 15 backpacks; a laptop; a pocket WiFi; a touch screen mobile phone; seven USB drives; a handheld radio; a gas stove; assorted medical equipment; food stuff; subversive documents; and other personal belongings.

“They had to leave these items because they were already almost cornered,” he said.

Batara said they would continue to pursue internal security operations in the area until they cleared the southern part of Panay.

Meanwhile, Major Cenon Pancito, 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, said that the Army in Panay has maintained its upper hand in the fight against the CPP-NPA.

“After the encounter in Bucari the other day, the troops hit them again in Brgy. Danao in Leon. They may have been very cowardly evading our troops but the 61st IB is precisely locating their whereabouts,” he said.

Further, “We will continue our relentless pursuit operation until the last of their men is neutralized. As such, we call on their remaining fighters to abandon the armed struggle while they still have time. Today may be the best of luck that you have and tomorrow may be very unforgiving,” he said.

Cenon could only hope that the NPA fighters realize quickly that their battle is neither for principle nor will uplift their lives.

“The CPP NPA is a terrorist group as magnified by the recovery of illegal marijuana in your belongings. Such possession can never justify your propaganda of fighting for the people. It can be easily assumed that you allow destruction of your own men much more on the destruction of this country and the Filipino people,” he said.