Minor wounded, NPA captured in clash in Lucena

MANILA, Philippines - One minor was wounded and one communist rebel was captured in a clash between Army soldiers and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Real, Quezon last Sunday.

According to military reports, members of the 1st battalion were verifying reports about the presence of armed men in barangay Llavac when they encountered the rebels at about 7 a.m.

A 15-minute clash then ensued between the soldiers and about eight NPA members led by a certain alias “Vergel.”

“The rebels, sensing imminent defeat, withdrew and cowardly left behind one wounded comrade leading to his apprehension,” said Lt. Col. Neil Estrella, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command.

The captured rebel, identified as Roger Guarde, was immediately evacuated and is now recovering in a local hospital.

A 15-year-old civilian  was also  wounded after he was caught in the crossfire. He was immediately evacuated to a local hospital and is now in a stable condition.

Soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, 14 pieces of 40 mm high explosive grenade for M203 grenade launcher, a magazine loaded with 20 live rounds for M14 rifle and NPA documents from the encounter site.

Estrella said pursuit operations are now being conducted against the rebels.

For his part, Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Ronnie Ordoyo called on the rebels to surrender.