4 killed, 4 hurt in Army-NPA encounter

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  — Four persons were killed and four others were injured in a clash between the military and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels yesterday (Thursday) morning in Isabela town, Negros Occidental.

The fatalities included two Army soldiers and two suspected rebels, while four soldiers were hurt, in a 45-minute gunbattle which started at 8 a.m. yesterday at Sitio Mahopaho in Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela, the military said.

Captain Ariel Quirog, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion, said troopers of the battalion’s Alpha Company, led by 1st Lt. Von Ryan Gomez, were on security operations when they encountered about 30 suspected NPA rebels.

Quirog said the identities of the slain and injured soldiers were temporarily withheld, pending notification of their respective families. One of the injured soldiers is now in critical condition, he said.

The two dead rebels were left behind by their fleeing comrades, he said, adding that some rebels were also reportedly injured in the encounter.

Pursuing soldiers later overran a rebel camp, which can accommodate about 40 persons, that was abandoned by its occupants.

Recovered from the encounter site and abandoned rebel camp were .45 caliber pistol with two magazines containing ammunition, eight combat packs containing personal belongings and subversive documents, Quirog added.

Fifth District Rep. Alejandro Mirasol, whose area of the incident was under his district, said: “It is sad and unfortunate that the encounter between our soldiers and the insurgents happened right when we are celebrating the Yuletide season”.

The congressman appealed to both sides “to rethink their position and instead do positive acts to help our countryside towards prosperity and development.”  (FREEMAN)