7 NPAs killed in Mt. Province encounter

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Seven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, including a woman fighter, were slain in an encounter with government troops in Mt. Province on Saturday, the military said.

Men of the 54th Infantry Battalion, according to reports, were providing security to a medical mission in Banawel village in Natonin town when they chanced upon a group of some 30 armed rebels along the Natonin-Paracelis border at around 6 a.m. Saturday. 

A five-hour firefight ensued, resulting in the death of the seven rebels, whose identities were still being verified, said Col. Miguel Puyao, spokesman of the Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division.

“Reports of the rebels’ death were based on information provided by civilians. In fact, they also told us that many more rebels were seriously injured in the encounter,” Puyao said. 

The firefight also led to the discovery of the insurgents’ bunkers and three outposts in the remote mountainous area and the recovery of several high-powered firearms, including two rifle grenade launchers, reports said.  

The rebels were led by a certain Artus Talastas, who heads the NPA unit operating in eastern Mt. Province. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig, Artemio Dumlao, Alexis Romero