DavOr Gov. Malanyaon cited NPA attack as “failure”

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental, Feb. 16 (PIA) --- Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon this morning downplayed the New People’s Army (NPA) foiled attack on the city of Mati Police Station last night, citing it as a “failure attempt.”

“They made an attempt but they failed,” she said during the press conference this morning after holding a closed door conference with City of Mati Mayor Carlos Luis Rabat, Police Regional Director Wendy Rosario, 701st brigade commander Col. Bienvenido Datuin and Police Provincial Director Jose Carumba.

The closed door conference was also attended by Vice mayor Glenda Rabat Gayta and Board Member Ronald Lara.

“They tried but I think they failed,” she added as she lauded the timely coordination between the police and the  military thwarting  the NPAs from overrunning the Mati Police Station.

A statement from City of Mati Mayor’s Office said that about 80 men believed to be members of NPAs on board vans and a truck entered the city of Mati on about 7:00 p.m. last night, proceeded to Mati Police Station and opened fire, wounding one police personnel identified as PO3 Babao.

One NPA element was killed in the exchange of fire between the Mati police elements and the NPAs.

Failing to stand the police resistance, the NPAs withdrew but were pursued by the reinforcement force of the 701st Infantry Brigade which elements were hit by the explosion of  two improvised explosive devices (IEDs)  in Barangay Don Martin Marundin ,near the 701st Philippine Army (PA) Brigade headquarters Datuin  said three of his men were killed and four were wounded.

  

The military identified the dead as  PFC Daniel T. Damansila, PFC Wil Christian Resuello and PFC Ryan Amigo. Wounded were PFC Zaldy Canonero, PFC Ian Mark Babiera, PFC Emerito Castillo and PFC Vergil Logronio.

A 67th Infantry Battalion element in civilian was also shot dead by the NPA blocking force along the road at St. Camillus Hospital, still in Mati City.

Meanwhile, Malanyaon allayed fears over the holding of the Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meet next week, saying the consolidated forces of the military and the police is an assurance  of a double  and heightened security during the week-long event.

 “There is nothing to fear because the forces here are all too prepared for the event,” she said.

Mayor Rabat in the same forum said the DAVRAAs will push through next week and that he revealed augmentation force of the police for the event.

“Itutuloy natin ang DAVRAA. As a matter of fact I have consulted PD (Police Director Jose) Carumba,  chair of the Committee for Peace and Order of  the DAVRAA.  They are on top of the situation,’ he said.   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)