2 NPA rebs killed in Davao Oriental clash
TWO heavily-armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in clashes with security troops in Lupon, Davao Oriental, Police Regional Office 11 (PRO11)director, Brigadier General Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said on Sunday.
According to the official, the bodies of one of the two leftist gunmen was recovered by soldiers from the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion shortly after the gunbattle in Barangay Mahayahay, Lupon last September 11.
Brig. Gen. Silo said that one of slain guerrilla was identified as Rodel Visayas alias ‘Ka Badi.’
He added that another suspected NPA member identified as Arnel Tabilla was captured following the clash with soldiers led by 1st Lieutenant Marlo Jay Cahatol.
Recovered at the scene were one R4 Carbine rifle, an AK-47 automatic rifle, 132 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two links of cal. 60mm ammunition for machinegun, assorted medicines and personal belongings as well as food stuff.
Nearly an hour after the encounter, another group of Army troopers led by 2Lt. Lester John Bellong encountered some of the retreating rebels killing one of them identified only as alias ‘Ka Jumong.’
Recovered at the scene of the firefight were assorted medicines and medical paraphernalia, backpacks containing personal belongings and assorted foot stuff.
Brig. Gen. Silo said that on the same afternoon, soldiers led by 2nd Lt. Jan Miguel Bacuetes encountered another group of NPA gunmen in the same area. The rebels retreated after exchanging fire with the troopers for around 15 minutes.
Troops recovered two M-16 automatic rifles with three magazines containing 31 ammunition, assorted medicines and medical paraphernalia and mobile phones at the site.
Brig. Gen. Silo said he has ordered all police units in Southern Mindanao to be on full alert amid possible retaliatory attacks from the NPA movement.
