4 troops wounded in clash with NPA in Cagayan as rebel leader surrenders in Abra

From InterAksyon (Jan 23): 4 troops wounded in clash with NPA in Cagayan as rebel leader surrenders in Abra

Four soldiers were wounded in a clash with New People’s Army fighters early Wednesday, which happened two days after the surrender of what authorities described as a ranking communist rebel leader in Abra province. Colonel Loreto Magundayao Jr., spokesman of the Army's 5th Infantry Division, said troops of the 17th Infantry Battalion were patrolling when they encounter the rebels, who were reportedly led by Rolando Ibis, in Barangay T. Elizaga, Gataran town at 6:45 a.m. The rebels retreated after the hour-long firefight, reportedly taking along their casualties. The military claimed the rebels were reportedly extorting money in the area for the May elections.

In Abra, Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, regional director of the Cordillera police, said Connie Santiago Valera, alias James and Yasser, 29, surrendered Monday in Sitio Abubutok, Barangay Lenneng, Licuan-Baay. He said Valera is a member of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is listed fifth in the regional police’s 4th Quarter Order of Battle of 2012. Valera is now under the custody of Abra police. During interrogation, Valera reportedly said he was disappointed when he was told to engage in criminal activities to generate resources.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/53405/4-troops-wounded-in-clash-with-npa-in-cagayan-as-rebel-leader-surrenders-in-abra