Rebel killed, soldier injured in clashes

From the Manila Times (Dec 14, 2021): Rebel killed, soldier injured in clashes (By Francis Earl Cueto)

A MEMBER of the New People's Army (NPA) died during an encounter with joint operatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in Camarines Sur on Sunday, December 12, the military said on Monday.

According to the report, the NPA member was killed in an armed encounter in Barangay Salvacion, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

The gunfight lasted for 30 minutes, resulting in the killing of the unidentified rebel and the retrieval of an M16 rifle and a bandolier.

Prior to this, two other armed skirmishes transpired in Del Gallego last December 10. Molotov bombs, four detonators, two cellphones, three jungle packs, terroristic propaganda materials and personal belongings were seized.

Lt. Col. Cleto Lelina Jr., commander of the 9th Infantry Battalion (IB), directed the troops to continue scouring the nearby towns to hunt down the fleeing insurgents.

In Balbalan, Kalinga, a soldier from the 50th IB of Joint Task Force (JTF) Tala was injured, following a brief encounter with a communist terrorist group also on Sunday.

"As a result of the firefight, one wounded in action was incurred by the government troops while it was undetermined on the side of the enemy," said Lt. Col. Melanio Somera, commander of the 50th IB, Philippine Army.

Brig. Gen. Andrew Costello, acting commander of the Northern Luzon Command, said the soldiers were conducting a routine combat patrol when they encountered an undetermined number of armed terrorists from the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Baggas at Sitio Tanap, Barangay Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga.

"The firefight lasted for about five minutes, and thereafter, the enemy scampered [in] different directions towards the north. While scouring the clash site, JTF Tala troops recovered three high-powered FA (fireams), two M16 [rifles], one M653 [rifle], one backpack, one hand grenade, three IEDs (improvised explosive devices), subversive documents and personal belongings." Costello said.

Brig. Gen. Santiago Enginco, commander of the 503rd IB, said, "We deployed additional forces in the area for possible enemy diversionary tactics. K9 and EOD (explosive detection dog) teams were also alerted for possible insertions,"

Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, commander of JTF Tala, lauded the efforts of the operating troops for sustaining their fight against the insurgency.

"Their relentless conduct of intelligence-driven combat operations denies the terrorists the foothold and influence in the area, preventing them [from executing] their hostile plans," Mina said.

"Rest assured that we will continue to heighten collaborative efforts with the PNP in combatting threats to the peace, security and development of our area of responsibility," Mina added.

Meanwhile, Costello commended the troops of the JTF Tala.

"The Northern Luzon Command will continue its mission to eliminate elements that hinder the growth and development of the community. We will secure that violence, terrorism and crime have no place in our area of responsibility." Costelo added.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/14/news/regions/rebel-killed-soldier-injured-in-clashes/1825832