9 NPA rebels killed in Quezon, Bukidnon encounters

MANILA, Philippines - A militiaman and four suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash in the outskirts of Malaybalay City in Bukidnon yesterday morning

At least five NPA guerrillas, including a jail escapee, were also slain in an encounter with the military in Barangay Penafrancia in Lopez, Quezon Friday morning.

Maj. Eugene Julio Osias IV, spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division, said the clash was ongoing as of press time, but pursuing troops have already recovered four assault rifles.

The gunfight broke out in Sitio Damitan, Barangay Balwangan at around 9:10 a.m. when soldiers from the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) chanced upon a group of about 50 NPA rebels.

Militiaman Ryan Veluz died when hit by a sniper fire, Osias said.

“Scores (of rebels) were either injured or killed on the insurgents’ side,” he said.

Col. Eduardo Año, commander of the Army’s 201st IB, said the encounter in Quezon involved elements of the 85th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Oliver Maquiling at around 12:30 p.m.  

He said soldiers were deployed to the area after receiving information on the presence of NPA guerrillas.

Año identified two of the fatalities as Rogelio Tatoy Monteverde, alias Bibit, 42, of Masbate, one of the escapees in the jailbreak in Lucena in 2008; and Jun Villancio, 28, a resident of Lopez, Quezon.

Three other slain rebels, including two women, have yet to be identified. They were declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

The troops seized two M-16 armalite rifles, a baby Armalite rifle, ammunitions and personal belongings of the slain rebels. – Jaime Laude, Arnell Ozaeta, Ed Amoroso