PAF intensifies drive vs Reds in Batangas

Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Nestor Santillan ordered yesterday the intensification of their campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA), particularly activities of terrorists in Nasugbu, Batangas.

In a statement, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief said that NPAs are reportedly active in Nasugbu, Batangas and nearby towns of Rosario, Calatagan, San Jose, Balayan, Lian, Lobo, Taysan, San Juan and the cities of Batangas and Lipa.

A total of 14 barangays are classified as NPA-affected, in which six are infiltrated and eight are threatened areas.

The PAF said that rebels in Nasugbu were also reported to have been engaged in intensified solicitation of financial support and food stuff and conducting recruitment and teach-in activities.

Skirmishes were earlier reported in nearby towns of Balayan, San Juan and Calatagan where soldiers of the PAF’s 7401st Combat Squadron were involved.

The 743rd Combat Squadron led by First Lt. Dennis Solomon encountered and engaged in a firefight with a group of NPAs in Barangay Looc in Nasugbu. One Air Force soldier was wounded, while casualty on the NPAs is still undetermined, the PAF said.

Another encounter by the PAF troopers was reported in Barangay Bungahan, Lian, Batangas when PAF troopers nabbed suspected members of the NPAs. – Rudy Santos