4 NPAs killed in weekend clashes in Oriental Mindoro and Kalinga

A New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed in an encounter with government troops in Oriental Mindoro yesterday; while a day earlier, three NPA rebels were believed killed in an encounter up north in Kalinga.

First Lieutenant Xy-Zon Meneses, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), said the encounter in Oriental Mindoro took place in Sitio If-If, Barangay Cambunang, Bulalacao about 5:30 a.m.

Meneses said after receiving a tip from concerned residents, troops of the 2nd Division’s 4th Infantry Battalion (4IB) conducted combat operation and encountered around 10 rebels from the Platoon Olip, Kilusang Larangang Guerilya (KLG) Roque.

The gun battle ended in five munites with the rebels scampering off in different directions, leaving behind their slain comrade, whose identity is still being verified.

Last Saturday, three NPA rebels were killed when they battled troopers from the 50th Infantry Battalion (50 IB) in around 1:30 p.m. in Sitio Ibong, Barangay Balbalasang, Balbalan, Kalinga.

Colonel Leopoldo Imbang Jr, 503rd Infantry Brigade (503IB) commander, said that hours later the body of one of the slain rebels was intercepted inside a van at a military checkpoint in Sitio Guesang, Barangay Salegseg in the same town.

Major General Paul T. Atal, the commander of the army’s 5th Infantry Division, commended the troops of the army’s 50th IB and the police as he reminded them to remain vigilant and to sustain their Peace and Development Support efforts in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“We are saddened that lives have been spared in the pursuit of peace and security in the region of Cordillera; as we extend our condolences to the families of the rebels, we also encourage the remaining rebels to avail of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government,” said Atal.