Wednesday, July 16, 2014

NPA rebel dies, policeman wounded in Zamboanga del Norte clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 16): NPA rebel dies, policeman wounded in Zamboanga del Norte clash

A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while a policeman was wounded in a clash in the Municipality of Sergio Osmeña in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte, military and police officials said Wednesday.

Army’s First Infantry Division Public Affairs officer-in-charge Capt. Franco Suelto said the clash broke out around 9 a.m. Tuesday when policemen from the Provincial Public Safety Battalion (PPSB) spotted a group of NPA rebels while conducting security patrol in Barangay San Francisco, Sergio Osmeña.

Zamboanga del Norte police director Senior Supt. James Mejia disclosed that one policeman named Police Officer 1 (PO1) Edward Panoril was wounded in the clash.

The NPA rebels fled as soldiers and policemen stationed near Barangay San Francisco reinforced the PPSB policemen.

Sergio Osmeña Municipal Health Office paramedics accompanied by policemen and soldiers retrieved Panoril from the clash site and brought him to the hospital.

Mejia said blocking forces policemen were deployed in the nearby barangays of Macalibre and Princesa Lamaya in a bid to prevent the escape of the NPA rebels.

Soldiers from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were also positioned as blocking forces in Barangay Kauswagan to block the retreating NPA rebels.

Policemen were also positioned as blocking force and to conduct clearing operations in Barangay Maligaya in the nearby Municipality of Polanco following the reported evacuation of residents in the area as an offshoot of the clash.

Suelto said the troops have recovered the remains of a slain NPA rebel around 5:30 p.m. while conducting clearing operations in Barangay San Francisco, Sergio Osmeña.

Suelto said the troops also recovered an improvised explosive device, a grenade, ammunition for AK-47 assault rifle and subversive documents of high intelligence value.

He said the clash triggered evacuation of civilians to the Sergio Osmeña municipal covered court. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office provide them relief assistance.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=663062

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