2 civilians killed, PAF man, 2 others hurt in NPA clashes

CAMP MIGUEL MALVAR, Batangas City — The New People’s Army (NPA) has stepped up its offensives against government troops in Batangas and Quezon, resulting in the death of two civilians and wounding of an Air Force man and other civilians last Friday and Saturday, police said.

Senior Superintendent Francisco Don Montenegro, Batangas police director, said at least 10 rebels swooped down on an Air Force safehouse in Barangay Puting Buhangin, San Juan town Saturday night, killing 15-year-old Jeffrey Juego and wounding Air Force man Arvin Tampil and two other civilians.

The rebels, however, failed to overrun the Air Force safehouse as soldiers and militiamen fought it out for 30 minutes.

In Lopez, Quezon, a 40-year-old farmer was killed when men of the Army’s 76th Infantry Brigade clashed with NPA rebels last Friday afternoon. — Arnell Ozaeta