NPA leader killed in Bukidnon encounter

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with Army troopers in Quezon, Bukidnon on Saturday.

The Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade (IB) identified the fatality as Joven Manggatawan, alias Amana.

Manggatawan was reportedly the leader of the Sentro de Grabidad Platoon of the NPA’s Company Thunder operating in the southern part of Bukidnon, according to Capt. Ryan Layug, spokesman for the 403rd IB.

Manggatawan was killed during a firefight between a group of about 20 rebels and government security forces in Sitio Bangkalawan, Barangay Lumintao, Layug said.

Manggatawan was fatally hit by pursuing soldiers of the 88th Infantry Battalion, a unit of the 403rd IB. He was identified by a former rebel who earlier surrendered to authorities.

The guerrillas left behind assorted firearms and ammunition.

Layug said the Sentro de Grabidad had claimed responsibility for the series of attacks and atrocities in southern Bukidnon.

Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 403rd IB commander, said the military has exhausted all efforts to convince the rebels to return to the fold of the law.

But Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said NPA leaders should be prosecuted in courts for violating the International Humanitarian Law.

“The victims must be indemnified by the CPP-NPA. The NDF must investigate and explain to the public why the NPA keeps on attacking civilians,” Gacal said, referring to the National Democratic Front, the political wing of the communist movement.