NPA claims soldiers killed, wounded in Bukidnon clash

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Jun 11): NPA claims soldiers killed, wounded in Bukidnon clash

THE New People’s Army (NPA) said on Wednesday its fighters killed and wounded a number of soldiers during a battle in a town in Bukidnon.

Isabel Santiago, spokesperson for NPA’s North Cotabato Bukidnon Operation Command said in a text message to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Wednesday reported that the 52nd Scout Ranger suffered heavy casualties during the clash with the NPA Front 53 SMR in Barangay Kalapaton, Kibawe.
  
Santiago said the NPA attack was in retaliation for the death of a villager in Kibawe who was beaten up by soldiers.

“Daghan ang casualties, dili pa ma-ihap ang wounded in action og killed in action,” she said.
She said two military helicopters picked up the dead and wounded troopers.

Captain Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, denied to Sun.star Cagayan de Oro there were soldiers killed in the clash, but confirmed that there were many who were wounded.

Santiago said 12 soldiers from the 23rd Infantry Battalion beat to death Emilio Ruplo, 60, last May 3.
Edelisa Ruplo, 50, the wife of Emilio, said: “Kung wala to siya (Emilio) gikulata, dili to siya mamatay.” Edelisa is a barangay kagawad (village councilor) of Kalapaton.

Edelisa said the troopers claimed that Emilio was an NPA rebel.

“After the soldiers were done with Emilio, they took my husband to my mother’s house,” she said. They forced her mother to sign a paper to certify that Emilio was untouched.

Martinez said: “If it were true that the soldiers did it, the military doesn’t tolerate such kind of act. We are still verifying the cause of Emilio’s death.”

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/06/11/npa-claims-soldiers-killed-wounded-bukidnon-clash-412527