5 NPA rebels dead in clashes in NCotabato, Quezon

MANILA, Philippines - Five communist rebels were killed in separate clashes in North Cotabato and Quezon, military officials said Tuesday.

Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Cpt. Alberto Caber said three insurgents were killed in an encounter with security forces in Roxas, North Cotabato  Monday.

Members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on board a white elf truck and multicab reportedly harassed the Roxas Municipal Police Station at around 3:30 a.m.

A 30-minute firefight then ensued, leaving three NPA members dead and one policeman wounded. One of the slain rebels was identified as alias “Revo.”

The injured policeman was immediately brought to the Amas Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Authorities recovered two handheld radios, an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, assorted magazines and ammunition, four mobile phones, a medical kit, and a truck plate number from the encounter site. 

Meanwhile, two NPA rebels were killed in a separate encounter with Army troops in Tayabas, Quezon also on Monday.

Lt. Col. Lloyd Cabacungan, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, said the gun battle happened in Sitio Pinagbanderahan in Barangay Palali at around 4:15 p.m.

He identified the slain insurgents as Peping Agudo, logistics and finance officer of a local rebel committee and Rommel Ramos akias “Jhersy,” “Ludy,” and “Hansel.”

Members of the Army’s 85th battalion recovered two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, and five backpacks with subversive documents from the area of the encounter.

“We call on to the remaining members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) - NPA to return to the folds of the law, reunite with their respective families, and enjoy peaceful lives,” said Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Caesar Ordoyo in a statement.

“Our call goes hand in hand with our offer to assist rebel returnees in obtaining the national government’s comprehensive livelihood integration programs,” he added. –  with reports from Alvin Perez and Ronald Mendoza