4 soldiers die in clash with NPA rebels
BAYOMBONG – Four soldiers were killed while another was wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Kasibu, Nueva Ecija yesterday morning.
Initial reports identified the fatalities as S/Sgt. Dexter John Tagacay, Cpl. Jayson Sabado, Cpl. Rusty Galan and Pfc. Abraham Lindo of the Army’s 84th Infatry Battalion.
Cpl. Gerby Soriano was wounded.
Chief Inspector Norly Gamal, Kasibu police chief, said the encounter occurred in Sitio Maglan, Barangay Dine.
Gamal said soldiers from the Army’s Alpha Company were conducting security patrol when the rebels fired at them.
Government security forces set up checkpoints as personnel of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division conducted pursuit operations for the rebels.
In Kidapawan City, two NPA rebels were arrested after they were caught burying a cache of firearms in Barangay Katipunan yesterday.
Wowia Boton and George Cuyo were with a group of rebels who tried to hide 20 M16 rfiles.
Superintendent Romeo Galgo Jr., Soccsksargen police chief, said the rebels face charges for illegal possession of firearms.
Galgo said investigators are trying to determine if the rebels were involved in the kidnapping of Police Officer 1 Bristol Catalan in the barangay last month.
Catalan was driving his motorcycle on his way to Makilala town when suspected rebels asked him to pull over and took him at gunpoint.