NPA leader slain in S. Kudarat clash with Army troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 15, 2023): NPA leader slain in S. Kudarat clash with Army troops (By Edwin Fernandez)

Image courtesy of the Philippine Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte – A middle-level commander of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during an encounter with government forces in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, the military here said Tuesday.

Joseph Longan, leader of Beijing Platoon of the NPA Far South Mindanao Region Command, was killed in a clash with Army troopers in Barangay Badiangon, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on Sunday, said Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, commander of the Philippine Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB).

Baldomar said the troops were sent to the area after several residents alerted the Army about the NPA recruitment activities among high school students of the village.

The communist guerrillas fired on the responding soldiers, triggering a 10-minute gun battle.

Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade commander based in Palimbang, said soldiers recovered a hand grenade, food supplies, and personal items beside the body of Longan.

“The rebels have nowhere to go. There’s no letup in our operation against them in the mountains of Palimbang, Kalamansig and nearby areas,” Santos said.

He recalled that on July 27, soldiers of the 37IB, also killed Rowie Libot, an NPA member under NPA Far South Regional Command during a brief encounter in Barangay Limulan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

Maj. Gen. Alex S. Rillera, 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, urged remaining communist rebels to accept the government’s offer for peace by laying down their guns and rejoining the mainstream.

“Your government is offering peace, come and join us and your families. We know you are victims of deceptive ideologies,” Rillera said.

Since January, the 6ID has neutralized 42 communist rebels where seven have been arrested, 12 were killed in armed encounters and 23 have peacefully surrendered.

The 6ID covers the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Sur, Maguindanao Norte, South Cotabato, parts of Sarangani, North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207853