We have received information that a unit of the New People’s Army engaged attacking troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) twice today in Barangay Lantuyang 2, Baco, Oriental Mindoro Province. The second encounter resulted in three fascist troops killed in action, and three others wounded. The enemy troops are part of the Philippine Army’s much-vaunted Scout Ranger regiment.
The NPA unit, assisted by the masses in the area, was maneuvering to counter-encircle a number of columns of enemy combat troops. Along their route, they chanced upon a unit of tired enemy soldiers. Based on reports from the field, the NPA unit took the initiative to strike in order to break through the enemy’s encirclement. After a brief exchange, the NPA unit disengaged and safely withdrew from the battle site. The NPA unit reported no casualties on their side.
The enemy’s unit leader, 1Lt. John O. Alberto sustained a fatal head shot and died on the spot, according to the AFP’s own reports. Another enemy soldier, a private, was also killed-in-action, while another soldier, a corporal, died on the way to the military hospital. We condole with the families of the enemy soldiers who died in battle.
On orders of Marcos and his fascist officers, these enemy soldiers have been carrying out ruthless offensives against the New People’s Army and against the masses of Mindoro without rest for the past several months. They have placed many parts of the Mindoro island under martial law and have committed grave atrocities and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. They are carrying out a fascist rampage after declaring that they will end the people’s resistance in Mindoro by the end of the year.
As in many parts of the country, the objective of Marcos is to suppress the people of Mindoro’s armed and non-armed resistance to the entry of mining companies, plantations, energy projects and other foreign-backed or foreign-owned corporations that are aggressively grabbing land and destroying the environment, resulting in grave hardships to the peasant masses, Mangyan communities and people of Mindoro.
The just ire of the broad masses of Mindoro is being roused by the crimes and abuses of Marcos’ fascist troops. More than just a week ago, on August 1, a local peasant activist in San Jose town, in Occidental Mindoro Province , was killed by soldiers of the 4th IB. Last August 7, an NPA fighter, Ka Mutya, who detached from her unit to fetch water from a nearby spring, was captured by troops of the 1st IB, subjected to torture before being killed, in violation of the international rules of war.
In the face of the fascist marauders ordered by Marcos to suppress the people’s resistance, today’s battle at Baco town is an important tactical victory of the people of Mindoro. It will surely inspire the peasant masses and Mangyan people to fight even more vigorously, courageously and militantly.
The Party commends the NPA unit and the local masses of Mindoro for their tactical victory in fighting the enemy’s all-out fascist attacks. Their victory will surely embolden the people in their resistance against their oppressors and exploiters.
The NPA remains focused on recovering strength from past losses and rebuilding the people’s organizations and organs of political power. With the firm unity of the peasant masses and their people’s army, we are certain that the people’s war will win even greater victories in Mindoro and across the country.
Source : https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/in-defense-of-the-oppressed-people-of-mindoro-the-npa-inflicts-casualties-on-marcos-fascist-marauders/