5 NPA members believed killed or hurt in encounter in Kalinga —AFP

From GMA News Online (Nov 10): 5 NPA members believed killed or hurt in encounter in Kalinga —AFP

Five alleged members of the New People’s Army are believed to have been killed or wounded in an encounter with government troops Wednesday afternoon in Kalinga, a belated military report said Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Daiz Jr, 50th Infantry Battalion commander, said he dispatched his troops to verify information given by civilians about the presence of armed groups at Barangay Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga around 3 p.m., November 8.
A two-hour encounter ensued resulting in the recovery of three M16 rifles; one M653 rifle; and one M14 rifle left by the communist rebels.

Daiz said his men found bloodstains on the ground where the communist rebels were positioned but no cadaver was recovered.

Hot pursuit operations were already launched to track the rebels.

Major General Paul Talay Atal, 5th Infantry Division commander, lauded the troops of the 50th IB for their successful security operations in the area.

“I commend the whole 50IB for their recent accomplishment. This effort once again proved your superiority against the enemy. While the NPA are intensifying their terroristic acts against the peace-loving people of Kalinga and the Cordillera, we will always be ready to protect them, and we will not fail them,” he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/632687/5-npa-members-believed-killed-or-hurt-in-encounter-in-kalinga-afp/story/