3 NPA rebels killed in Iloilo town clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28, 2024): 3 NPA rebels killed in Iloilo town clash (By Perla Lena)

ENCOUNTER. Three unidentified male bodies of the New People’s Army are left at the encounter site following the 20-minute exchange of fire between the 61st Infantry Battalion of the 301st Infantry Brigade and the Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyon - Panay (SPF KR-Panay) of the NPA in Barangay Torocadan, San Joaquin town in Iloilo on Wednesday (Feb. 28, 2024). Soldiers recovered at the encounter site four M-16 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, and nine backpacks containing the rebels’ personal belongings. (Photo courtesy of 301st Infantry Brigade)

ILOILO CITY – Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed during an encounter with soldiers in the village of Torocadan, San Joaquin town in Iloilo before dawn Wednesday.

The 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the 301st Infantry Brigade (301IBde) was conducting a focused military operation in the area when they were attacked by around 20 members of the Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyon - Panay (SPF KR-Panay) under Nahum Camariosa alias Bebong, the 301st Infantry Brigade said in a statement.

The exchange of fire happened at 3:20 a.m. and lasted for about 20 minutes until the rebels retreated, leaving three of their comrades.

Recovered during the clearing operations at the encounter site which also served as the rebels’ temporary harbor site, were four M-16 rifles and an AK-47 rifle, three bandoleers, a commercial radio, and nine backpacks containing the rebels’ personal belongings.

The temporary harbor site, with an area of 15,000 square meters, has 10 makeshift tents.

Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, 301IBde commander, said they delivered early this morning artillery fires supported by the ground troops to preempt any atrocity the rebels intend to create.

“They (61IB) requested us to provide indirect artillery fire, but we have surveillance planes to support our troops,” he said in a media interview, noting that the troops on the ground were in a disadvantaged position when approaching the area.

Samson thanked the locals for providing timely information.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219732