MANILA, Philippines - Five communist rebels were killed while two others were captured in an encounter with government troops Friday morning in Matnog, Sorsogon.
Lt. Col. Lloyd Cabacungan, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), said the clash happened in Sitio Hukdong, Barangay Balocawe at around 5:40 a.m.
The 90-minute firefight resulted in the death of five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the capture of two female insurgents.
The slain rebels were identified as Sonny Pajarello, “Ka Ryan,†“Ka Buchokoy,†Elias Gardoque and a certain “Ka Randy,†whom military officials claimed was the commander of a provincial guerilla unit.
The NPA members who were captured after the clash were identified as Maricel Remon also known as “Russel,†and Intia Gardoque.
There were no reported casualties on the side of government forces.
Soldiers recovered five high-powered firearms namely two M653 carbine rifles, two M16 rifles, and an M203 grenade launcher from the encounter site.
Cabacungan said SOLCOM chief Lt. Gen. Caesar Ordoyo had ordered the dispatch of two UH-1H helicopters to provide aerial combat support to troops conducting pursuit operations.
Ordoyo said the soldiers were able to foil a plan by the NPA to attack the municipal police station and the municipal hall.
“The operation prevented the NPA group from undertaking massive extortion activities,†he said. – Ronald Mendoza, Alvin Perez