3 NPAs killed
in Negros clash
THREE communist New People’s Army rebels, including an
amazon, died in a clash with a large formation of government
troops in Zamboanguita town in Negros Oriental on Thursday
afternoon, a military spokesman reported yesterday.
AFP public affairs office Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said troops
from 12th and 79th Infantry Battalions and government military
were deployed to the village of Sitio Langub in Malungkay
village after receiving information of rebel presence in the
area. At around 5:30 p.m, Torres said the troops caught up with
at least 20 rebels, belonging to the Komiteng Rehiyon-Sentral
Bisayas. The official said the band of rebels was the same group
that burned a tractor in the province last week.
Torres said the clash lasted for at least 45 minutes, after
which the insurgents withdrew, leaving behind their slain
comrades whose names were not immediately known. The troops also
recovered in the area two M16 and an M14 rifles.
"This was a joint operation of two battalions and a Cafgu
company. It was really a big operations against the NPAs in
Negros Oriental," said Torres.
Meanwhile, Pfc. Ramer Oyaoh of the 58th Infantry Battalion
was wounded in a clash with at least 50 NPAs in the village of
Siagao in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur also on Thursday at around
2 p.m.
Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. Armand Rico said the
other side suffered at least four killed or wounded based on
intelligence reports gathered.
The military has been directed by President Arroyo to
neutralize the communists on or before her term ends in 2010.
Latest estimates by the military intelligence community placed
NPA total strength at 5,000 fighters. – Victor Reyes
