4 insurgents, soldier killed in Davao encounter

MANILA, Philippines - Four communist rebels and an Army soldier were killed in an encounter in Manay, Davao Oriental the other day, the military said. 

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the clash ensued at around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Sitio Matabang, Barangay Tanocanga in Manay town.

Soldiers were sent to the area in the wake of reports on the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who were allegedly extorting money from residents.

Three communist rebels and a soldier were immediately killed in the clash. Caber said the soldiers provided first aid to a wounded rebel but efforts to save him failed. 

Two M-16 rifles, one AK-47, one M-4 rifle, three landmines, a mobile phone and several documents were recovered from the insurgents. 

Caber said the guerrillas had wanted to recover their camp which government forces seized in the area last year.

Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Cruz III has asked his troops to continue working closely with their police counterparts to ensure the safety of communities.

“Coordination among units for augmentation of forces is mandatory,” Cruz said.

Meanwhile, Army troops operating in Negros Island have apprehended a ranking member of an NPA regional committee.

Maj. Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said Biboy Espinas was arrested last Tuesday in Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Soldiers seized a .38-caliber revolver with five live ammunition and subversive documents from Espinas, who had a standing arrest warrant for murder, Tiongson said.

Espinas was brought to the local police station for medical check-up, documentation and filing of appropriate charges.

“With the apprehension of Espinas, the peace and order situation in Negros Occidental will be much better. The rule of law must always prevail,” said Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, chief of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade.