3 NPAs killed in clash with Army in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY – Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed during a 30-minute running gunbattle with Army troopers rebels in Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte Friday morning.

Maj. General Roy Kyamko, Southern Luzon Commander (Solcom) chief, said the fatalities who remain unidentified were part of a group of 16 NPA rebels who were in Barangay Cabuluhan to campaign for the barangay elections this coming July 15.

Army troopers recovered four M-16 rifles, ammunition, and subversive documents.

Sgt. Romeo Fernandez and Corporal Renato Tejada were slightly wounded and were brought for treatment to the Holy Trinity Hospital in Sta. Elena town.

Kyamko said residents tipped off the 31st Infantry Batallion under Lt. Col. Emiliano Gupana, who immediately sent two strike platoons to the barangay triggering the fire-fight at about 7:30 a.m. Friday. The rebels made a hasty retreat to the adjacent barangay dragging their wounded companions.

Kyamko also said the latest encounter was the fifth after soldiers from the 31st Infantry Batallion overran Guerilla Front 72 main camp in Barangay Bagong Silang Dos in Labo, Camarines Norte last April 26 that left six NPA dead including Carlito Apigo, alyas Commander Jack, the front commander.

Of the 282 villagers in Camarines Norte some 55 barangays are believed controlled and infiltrated, while 64 villages are threatened. There are two guerilla front committees operating in the province armed with about 69 high powered and about 26 low powered firearms, said Maj. Jose Broso, head of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces. – Celso Amo