15 NPAs killed, 12 captured
in wake of Siargao raids

SOLDIERS, backed by helicopter gunships, have killed 15 New People's Army rebels and captured another 12 in the aftermath of the communists' raid against two police stations in Siargao Island late on Saturday.

The casualties were part of the 30-member NPA group that attacked two police outposts in Dapa and General Luna in Siargao and killed two police officers and wounded four others.

The rebels fled aboard five rubber boats to Claver and Lapinigan Island, according to an earlier report by Maj. Armand Rico, spokesman of the militarys Eastern Mindanao Command. Rico said pursuing troops from the Armys 30th Infantry Battalion, 42nd Military Intelligence Company and the PNP Regional Mobile Group caught up with the rebels Sunday morning in Claver and Lapinigan.

The fighting dragged on until early Monday, according to Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Rico said clashes have already subsided in Claver town. "We have not recorded additional casualties on our side except the ones earlier reported on the side of the police. On the enemy side, it has reached 15 based on our count. That may increase because we have reports that they have more casualties in their route of withdrawal," Rico said.

He said K-9 units have also been dispatched to Lapinigan island to help track the rebels while MG 520 and Huey helicopters are providing close air support to the troops in case they re-establish contact with the rebels.

Brawner, quoting 4th Infantry Division chief Brig. Gen. Ricardo David, the successful interception of the rebels showed that the Armys pre-emptive measures and plans were accurate.

David said intelligence reports pointed solidly to an attack by rebels against soft targets such as PNP stations and Cafgu Active Auxiliary detachments with only the time and location still uncertain. He said the Army implemented counter measures in response to the intelligence reports.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Avelino Razon said yesterday that Special Action Force units will be deployed to Davao and parts of the Visayas to serve as maneuver forces that would help in internal security operations following the Siargao attacks.