4 NPA rebs killed in DavOr clash

MANILA - Four suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed during a clash with government troops in Davao Oriental on Tuesday, January 16, a military official said Wednesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, 28th Infantry Battalion commander, said his men encountered an undetermined number of NPA guerrillas in Sitio Palopali, Barangay Marayag, Lupon Davao Oriental around 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The clash lasted for at least 10 minutes.

The NPA rebels withdrew to an unknown direction while government troops recovered one M16 rifle, four pistols and one improvised explosive device from the scene.

“These NPA terrorists are responsible for the spate of attacks on civilians and extortion activities. Their neutralization is a demonstration of the AFP’s resolve in stopping their atrocities and protect the people,” Zagala said.

In South Cotabato, a man said to be an officer of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and his wife surrendered in South Cotabato, a military official said Wednesday, January 17.

Noel Minioto Legazpi, also known as Efren, is allegedly the deputy secretary of the NPA in the Far South Mindanao Region while his wife, Jeanalyn Defensor Bendalian, is a member of the medical team of the said unit.

Captain Gary Dida, civil military operations commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the couple surrendered to the troops of 27th Infantry Battalion in South Cotabato on Monday afternoon.

Dida said the couple said they decided to surrender because they believe the communist group will not win the war against the government.

The couple’s surrender was facilitated by South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes who vowed to help the couple reintegrate into the society.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte tagged the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines as terrorists after he scrapped the peace talks with CPP's political arm, National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Duterte has repeatedly urged NPA members to surrender, with the promise of housing and decent jobs. Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines