Soldiers in Tarlac clash that killed 6 NPAs feted

MANILA, Philippines - Army troops involved in the operation that left six communist rebels dead in Camiling, Tarlac last month were feted by top security officials last Tuesday.

Awarded with military merit medals were eight soldiers from the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion led by Capt. Loyd Tondo.

Also awarded were Sgt. Benjamin Garlejo Jr., Cpl. Rodelio Navarro, Cpl. Vicman Rabanos, Cpl. Freddie Selda, Cpl. Jover Marcito, Pfc. Robert Lee Bermil and Pfc. Belly Jay Caguia.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista led the awarding ceremony at the Subic Bay International Airport in Zambales.

Also present during the event were Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes and Northern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Gregorio Catapang.

Six members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while another one was wounded in a clash with the soldiers last July 31 in Barangay Bobon 2nd in Camiling, Tarlac.

The military identified the slain insurgents as Mateo Maong Capinding, Andrew Manuel, Nicolas Patun-og, Rodolfo dela Cruz, Rendal Garingo and Rachel Dorothy Holanda. Soldiers also captured a certain Jun Mendoza, who is facing illegal detention and rape charges.

The strength of the communist movement in the country stands at about 4,000.