8 NPAs killed in Sorsogon encounter

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Eight New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, including two women, were killed in an encounter with government troops yesterday morning in Juban town in Sorsogon, the military said.

Col. Joselito Kakilala, commanding officer of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, said the government troops figured in a 35-minute firefight with about 20 rebels belonging to the Komite sa Probensya (KOMPROB) Sorsogon.

He said the encounter broke out at about 6 a.m. in Barangay Upper Calmayon.

“We sent our troops there after farmers complained of the extortion perpetrated by the NPAs,” Kakilala told The STAR.

Armed Forces spokesman Major Ramon Zagala said the bodies of the eight NPA guerrillas were recovered, along with their rifles, grenade launchers and improvised bombs.

The military has yet to identify the slain rebels.

“The women were combatants for sure. They were found with high-powered rifles, with bandoliers packed with bullets around their bodies. They traded fire alongside the men,” he said.

Bicol Army spokesman Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar said the clash resulted in the biggest number of rebel casualties in the region in recent years.

A hot pursuit and clearing operations were launched against the rebels, who fled toward an adjacent barangay.

Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ceasar Ronnie Ordoyo, said the successful Army operation was a result of a civilian-military cooperation against NPAs believed behind the series of assassination and extortion activities in Bicol region. – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Francis Elevado, AFP, AP