1 rebel killed, many wounded in gun battle in Compostela Valley

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 26): 1 rebel killed, many wounded in gun battle in Compostela Valley

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – An alleged communist-New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while undetermined number of other rebels were believed wounded when a fierce gunbattle erupted between government security forces and communist insurgents in Compostela Valley (ComVal) province, the military reported on Friday.

The military report said a platoon of combat maneuvering troops of the 66th Infantry Battallion (66th IB) led by 1Lt. Marvin Gammad engaged in fierce fire fight some 30 heavily armed NPA’s at Sitio Apogon, Bparangay Katipunan, Nabunturan town, ComVal province.

Initially, the operating troops seized 6 high powered firearms and unaccounted number of live ammunitions.
 
The gunbattle started at 9 o’clock in the morning on Thursday.

According to initial report, the troops engaged the NPA’s positioned in a ridgeline in the area and the firefight lasted for an hour.

Outgunned, outnumbered and out positioned, the rebels disengaged in the fire fight leaving behind their slain and wounded comrade-in-arms, reported Lt. Col. Michael Logico, commander of the 66th IB.

The operating troops evacuated the wounded NPA from the encounter site and brought him to Nabunturan Hospital for immediate medical treatment.

"The troops conducted combat operation in response to the reports of civilian populace regarding the presence of these lawless armed groups in their community," said Col. Logico.

The 66th IB commander claimed that the NPA allegedly conducted intimidation, forced recruitment and extortion in the area. “They are also planning to conduct checkpoints to abduct civilians suspected of being government informants and military/PNP personnel,” alleged Col. Logico.

"We will not allow the New People's Army to continue intimidating and threatening the populace", he added.

Meanwhile, Col. Angelito De Leon, commanding officer of the 1001st Infantry Brigade has directed the relentless conduct of pursuit operation against the NPA’s allegedly sowing terror in ComVal province.

Aside from the alleged NPA’s who are intimidating and extorting from civilians, Col. De Leon further directed that operations be conducted to pursue the NPA group that mercilessly kidnapped Pfc. Jesus Tomas Jr, a community Peace and Development Team member in Barangay Elizalde, Maco, also of that same province on Wednesday.

“I commend the troops who engaged these NPA’s for successfully carrying out their mission which is to protect the properties and lives of people of ComVal province," said Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, commanding general of the Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division.

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