Two rebels wounded in encounter

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two suspected members of the New People's Army were injured in a clash with government troops at Barangay Hilub-ang in Calatrava town, Negros Occidental Thursday morning.

Major Rey Tiongson, head of the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said the NPA encounter against the 62nd Infantry Battalion lasted for 20 minutes, resulting in the wounding of two rebels who, however, were able to retreat with their comrades, as shown by the bloodstains along the escape path.

The military recovered from the encounter scene a magazine of an M14 assault rifle loaded with ammunitions.

Tiongson said the soldiers were earlier on pursuit of the rebels who bombed the transloading station of a sugar mill in Escalante City last June 8.

Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Cordova, commander of the 62nd IB, said, "we were able to locate the group of NPA responsible for the arson and damage of sugar milling equipment in Escalante City. We will ensure that justice will be served upon these lawless elements."

On the wounded rebels, Cordova said: "We have alerted our medical team in any time that those wounded NPA members would seek for medical assistance. We call on those rebels to come out, lay down their arms peacefully and be given proper medical attention.They are being assured that their human rights will be respected."

Meanwhile, Major General  Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, instructed the troops to maintain their professionalism and strictly follow the rule of law and respect for human rights as they continue to pursue the fleeing NPA rebels.

Baladad said, "our forefathers have sacrificed tremendously in order to attain the independence that we are enjoying today. Let us not put into waste those sacrifices, instead let us participate and work together in finding peaceful solution to end this armed conflict that only brought death and sufferings to our people."

The top military official added: "We call on the members of the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms peacefully, abandon the armed struggle and work with us for our long desired just and lasting peace." — (FREEMAN)