NPA killed, 10 troopers hurt in clash in N. Vizcaya

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed and 10 government troopers wounded in a clash that erupted in Barangay Sanguit, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya last Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Isagani Nato, spokesman of the military’s Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), said the encounter at 8:30 a.m. Thursday involved rebels from the NPA’s “Venerando Villacilio Command” and troopers from the army’s 84th Infantry Battalion (84th IB).

Lt. Col George M. Bergonia, commander of the 84th IB, sent reinforcements to the battle site, but the rebels fled.

After the encounter at 11:30 a.m., soldiers found the body of the still unidentified rebel, his M-16 rifle, and some subversive documents at the scene of the gun battle.

One of the 10 soldiers wounded in the clash was reportedly in critical condition.

It was Mayor Ruben Basconcillo, Jr. of Dupax del Sur who called up Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla and requested for an ambulance to come to the aid of the wounded soldiers.

However, a report from Camp Aguinaldo said there were only three troopers wounded in the incident. No names of the wounded were released by the NOLCOM or Camp Aguinaldo.

Basconcillo said 40 residents were displaced by the firefight. It was learned that troopers were patrolling the area because of reports that 100 rebels had converged in the area. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)