NPA leader, 2 others killed in Quezon clash
LUCENA CITY — Three communist guerrillas including including a band leader were killed in a pursuit operation by military troopers and police forces at the forested portion of Bgry. Huyon- Huyon, San Francisco, Quezon on Sunday.
Reports reaching the office of Quezon police director Col. Ledon Monte said one of those killed in the firefight was Joseph Delos Santos, alias Ka Ken, better known as Ka Bingot, the leader of a rebel group operating in Southern Quezon.
Monte said three AK-47 rifles, bullets and bombs were recovered by the government forces in the battle ground.
Monte recalled that prior to this, a band of New People’s Army (NPA) composed of around 15 heavily armed rebels was encountered by joint elements of the Army’s 85th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Joel Jonson and Quezon Police Provincial Mobile Force under Major Deo Calawit at Sitio Mabato, Brgy. Pansoy, San Andres, Quezon last January 27.
The clash started after the two forces encountered the rebels under SRMA4B, Platoon Reymark led by Ka Bingot and Alejandro Pinpin, alias Ka Julio at around 3:00 p.m.
Monte said the rebels withdrew towards the north east direction.
During the exchange of fire, he said Pfc. Johnson Carlos sustained a bullet wound in the body while the wounded rebels were dragged by their fleeing comrades who ran toward the adjacent town of San Francisco.
Recovered by the government forces were one home-made bomb, three bags containing three blasting caps, a cellular phone, 25 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 58 rounds of 7.62mm bullets, a magazine for Armalite rifle, subversive documents, a CPP- NPA flag and personal belongings.
In a pursuit opearation on Sunday, the joint Army- PNP team managed to locate the fleeing rebels at Bgry. Huyon- Huyon, San Francisco, Quezon where the clash took place resulting in the death of the three rebels.
