It was a fake encounter – NPA

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 1): It was a fake encounter – NPA

The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command joined progressive organizations in vehemently denying that there was an encounter between them and the Philippine Army last month in Brgy. Washington, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Rebel spokesperson Cecil Estrella stressed in a statement that they did not have any operatives or combatants, or incurred deaths or casualties, as no encounter took place, contrary to military claims.

The Philippine Army reported that two rebels were killed and two high-powered firearms were recovered during an encounter.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, even awarded medals to soldiers and police troopers, who had participated in the encounter.

Estrella claimed that it was a misencounter between Army soldiers and SAF troopers. He also alleged that two government troopers had been killed.

Arevalo dismissed it as fake news, and challenged them to talk to the people, where the encounter took place.

Estrella further alleged that soldiers conducted illegal searches and ransacked homes of the civilians they interrogated.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/December/01/topstory9.htm