4 Rebels killed, soldier wounded

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines   â€” A Philippine Army soldier was wounded while four suspected members of  the New People’s Army, one of whom was a “ranking leader,” were reported killed in encounters in the hinterlands of  Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Saturday.

Also, two alleged NPA members surrendered to authorities following the clashes at sitio Pitawa in Barangay Sto. Niño in Tanjay City on Saturday afternoon, an initial report from the police said.

Early reports from the PNP said that, at 4 p.m. of  Sunday, a section of combined elements of  the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion and 79th Infantry Battalion, led by Captain Lusaylo Lunas and 1st Lieutenant Aranas, respectively, encountered at Pitawas about 24 fully armed men, believed to be members of the NPA’s South East Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros.

The armed group was allegedly led by Romero Nabas alias Gildo, and the firefight lasted for 35 minutes before the suspected rebels withdrew, said the police report.

About 45 minutes later, while on blocking position, another section from Alpha Company of the 79th IB, this time led by 1st Lt. Ronnie Sarmiento, encountered the same group of armed men, which resulted to the surrender of  two rebels, one of whom was wounded on the right foot.

The identities of these wounded rebels have been withheld for now for their safety and security, according to authorities.

The wounded-in-action soldier was identified as Cpl. Milbert Dapilaga of the 79th IB. He was rushed to the Holy Child Hospital in Dumaguete City after a bullet was embedded on his leg, said Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, which is the mother of all Philippine Army units in Negros Oriental. Dapilaga is now in stable condition.

Meanwhile, Army troopers launched hot pursuit operations against the fleeing “rebels” and on Sunday morning, while scouring the vicinity of the encounter site, found four dead persons believed to be suspected NPA members.

One of the four casualties was identified as Diosdado Aming Dacal-dacal, alias Gim, squad leader of  Platoon Sentro de Gravidad of  the SEF-KRN, while the three other male casualties remained unidentified, disclosed Lt. Erick Wynmer Calulot, acting Civil Military Operations Officer of  the 79th IB.

One M-16 armalite rifle was also recovered from the encounter site, believed to be that of the alleged NPA group, a handheld radio, a bandoleer, subversive documents, food stuffs and personal belongings.

Lieutenant Col. Harold Pascua, acting commander of the 79th IB, said the weekend encounters at Sto. Niño, Tanjay City was initiated by the 302nd IBde. These came in the heels of the recent declaration of Negros Oriental by government authorities as conflict-manageable and development-ready, a term used in relation to the insurgency problem in the province that the military said has been reduced to an insignificant level.

Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said the military will continue with their follow-on operations, but the soldiers were instructed to follow the rule of law and put the safety of the people as the primary consideration.” (FREEMAN)