5 NPAs killed, scores wounded in Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental skirmishes
BUTUAN CITy — Five New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were reportedly wounded during a gun battle between government security forces and communist terrorists in the hinterland areas in Agusan del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces, military and police report said.
Combat maneuvering troops of the Army’s 28th Infantry battalion seized from the four slain rebels four firearms, improvised explosive devices and other bomb-making materials on Tuesday in Sitio Palo Palo, Barangay Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental, it said.
A separate military and police report received here said one NPA terrorist was killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were believed wounded when a gun battle erupted between government troops and communist terrorists in the upper part of Quarry 69, Sitio Agpan, Barangay Imelda, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
A flash report received here also said the two platoons from the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion (75th IB) led by 2Lt. Begee de Jesus and 2Lt. John Arangoso were conducting Focused Military Operations (FMO) when they encountered a number of heavily armed NPA terrorists.
The communist terrorists in upper Quarry 69 were believed to be members of guerrilla-Front Committee 14 of the CPPNPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
The rebels, however, disengaged from the firefight after almost 15 minutes upon sensing that they were outnumbered, dragging along with them their wounded and leaving behind the killed comradein-arm.
Operating troops recovered from the encounter site one unit AK47 rifle, two pieces magazine loaded with live ammunitions, one piece back pack containing personal belongings and anti-government documents, military and police report said.
The identity of the slain rebel has not been revealed as of press time.
PRO 13 Regional Director Chief Supt. Noli A. Romana ordered the commander of the provincial mobile force safety battalion and Agusan del Sur PPO to assist the 75th IB by conducting blocking positions along the possible escape route of the withdrawing NPA terrorists, said PRO 13 spokesman Chief Inspector Renel E. Serrano.
In a separate encounter, troops of the 28th IB also encountered an undetermined number of armed NPA terrorists at 1:25 p.m. on Tuesday at Sitio Palo Palo, Barangay Marayag, Lupon, Davao Oriental.
Capt. Andrew M. Linao, spokesman of the 701st Infantry Brigade, said patrolling troops of the 28th IB were responding to a call from residents in Barangay Marayag about the presence of the NPA terrorists in their village allegedly revolutionary taxes.
Meantime, Brig. Gen. Reuben S. Basiao, commanding general of the 701st Brigade lambasted the recruitment of minors and extortion activities of the NPAs.
Surrender
The military yesterday said that five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) laid down their arms and surrendered to government troops in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Tuesday.
The rebel returnees who belonged to the platoon Samsung and My Phone of Guerrilla Front (GF) 73 were identified as Dany L. Daligdig, 32; Emiliano M. Tarusan, 47; Mike T. Kadingilan, 21; Marcelo M. Dampo, 49 all from a Teduray community in Brgy. Pamantingan, and; Wen M. Bilagen, 31, from a T’boli tribe in Brgy. Salumping, all of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
According to the military, the five turned themselves in to Lt. Col. Lauro G.. Oliveros, Commanding Officer of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao. They also surrendered one homemade Springfield, one caliber 357, two homemade M79, and one Ingram. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)