Troops pursue rebels in Cateel encounter

From the Sun Star-Davao (Oct 4): Troops pursue rebels in Cateel encounter

TROOPS belonging to the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) launched on Monday pursuit operation against suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) whom they encountered in Cateel, Davao Oriental on October 1.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, commander of Eastmincom, directed all division commanders under his command to continue their pursuit and security operations in their respective area of responsibility.

Killed during the encounter was identified as Gerald Tagal, 28, believed to be vice chief of the NPA's Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda of Guerilla Front (SYPGF) 25, who hails from Barangay Tubo-Tubo in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

The five wounded soldiers are identified as Sergeant Mario A. Torres, Corporal Zhelmer P. Roquero, Private First Class (Pfc) Gestonie R. Fabale, Pfc. Trifino F Cacdac II, and Pfc. Ronald M. Bulaco.

Captain Raul Villegas, spokesperson for the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said the five soldiers are now undergoing treatment at Camp Panacan Hospital. He added that the soldiers are doing well.

Villegas said the troops were conducting security operations following the report about the presence of the NPA rebels in the area, when they encountered the rebels at around 2 a.m.

The troops also arrested a suspected NPA member identified as Kim Gargar, who is said to be a former Biology professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Captain Alberto C. Caber, chief of Eastmincom's Public Information Office, said Gargar was captured by pursuing soldiers after the encounter.

Lieutenant Colonel Krishnamurti A. Mortela, commander of the 67th Infantry Battalion, said Gargar was found comatose, while clutching a rifle 200 meters away from the encounter site in Barangay Aliwagwag.

"The 67th Infantry Battalion had given him (Gargar) first aid, before he was brought to Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital," Mortela said, adding the rebel was then endorsed to the police station after the treatment.

Caber said based on initial reports, Gargar was a professor in UP Diliman from 2000 to 2003; Don Mariano University in Cagayan de Oro City 2003-2005; PUP Sta. Mesa 2006-2007; and Mapua University 2007-2008.

Gargar said he was also doctorate scholar in chronological Biology at University of Groningen in Netherland. He worked with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) founder Joma Sison.

"Sabi niya (Gargar) he helped the CPP-NPA in their production of several books aimed to exploit the countryside. He joined the NPA in Compostela Valley in 2012 while his wife works as writer of (online news organization) Bulatlat.com," Caber said.

Gargar, on the other hand, was amazed on how he was treated well by the soldiers. He was very cooperative to his captors until he was visited by members of Karapatan group, Caber added.

"Gargar is a good example of how soldiers value and respect human rights," Cruz said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/10/04/troops-pursue-rebels-cateel-encounter-306740?ModPagespeed=noscript