NPA rebel dead in encounter with Army troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): NPA rebel dead in encounter with Army troops

New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Thursday launched a series of attacks in three areas in Davao City's second and third districts, resulting in the death of one communist guerilla.

This was confirmed by Joint Task Force Haribon chief Brig. Gen Gilbert Gapay, who until Thursday night still monitors the encounter in the vicinity of Baguio and Calinan Districts.

Gapay said the rebels were under the Pulang Bagani Command 1 under alias Jinggoy and Pulang Bagani Command 2 under alias Lando.

Around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Gapay said rebels attacked the military detachment in Malabog, Paquibato District but the Army troops were able to fight back. The encounter left one NPA rebel dead but his body was brought by the fleeing rebels.

At lunchtime, rebels attacked the civilian community at the Davco pineapple plantation in Baguio District and burned the harvester owned by Del Monte Philippines.

Gapay said the attack in Davco could be a retaliation for the death of an NPA in the earlier encounter.

Another encounter ensued late afternoon in Lamanan, Calinan between the blocking force and the fleeing rebels.

According to Gapay, nearby residents also heard explosions and sporadic gunfires. But Gapay said this has yet to be confirmed by the 3rd Infantry Battalion operating in the area.

As of press time, pursuit operation is still ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=964746