Ex-UP prof who joined NPA hurt in Davao clash

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A former physics professor of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, who joined the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley in 2012, was wounded in an encounter with government forces in Cateel, Davao Oriental last Tuesday.

The Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command identified the wounded rebel as Kim Gargar, who also once taught physics at Don Mariano University in Cagayan de Oro City, Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila and Mapua Institute of Technology, and was a doctorate scholar in chronological biology in the University of Groningen, Netherlands.

Gargar told authorities that he helped Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA founder Joma Sison in the production of several books aimed at exploiting communities in the countryside.

Gargar, whose wife works as a writer of Bulatlat.com, was wounded during the encounter between the insurgents and government troops in Barangay Aliwagwag, Cateel town last Tuesday.

An M-16 rifle, landmines and subversive documents were found in his possession.

An NPA commander, a certain alias Ryan, was killed in the clash.

Gargar was reportedly found unconscious while clutching a rifle 200 meters away from the encounter site.

“First aid was given to him by the troops of the 67th Infantry Battalion before he was brought to the Davao Oriental provincial hospital,” Lt. Col. Kris Mortela said.

The 701st Infantry Brigade under Col. Benjamin Madrigal said the former physics professor could shed light on the proliferation of improvised explosives in the area which were lately found to have contaminated shrapnels. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe