7 NPAs slain in Sarangani clashes

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Seven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, including an alleged leader, were killed in a series of firefights in Alabel town in Sarangani Monday.

The first skirmish took place at around 8 a.m. after a group of insurgents shot at soldiers from the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion in Sitio Tugal, Barangay Datal Anggas.

The troops were responding to reports about the presence of armed men harassing a tribal community. No one was reported wounded or killed in the first encounter.

Another firefight broke out at around 3:30 p.m. of the same day when government security forces pursued the same group of armed men.

The second encounter resulted in the death of seven insurgents and recovery of seven backpacks and nine firearms, including two AK47 assault rifles and six M16 Armalites.

One of the  fatalities was identified as a certain Kumander Brigol, said to be the leader of the NPA’s Front 71. The five others were identified in their aliases as JM, Jonas, Lieutenant, Mark, and Monet. The seventh fatality, a woman, has yet to be identified.

Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, said the villagers sought the military’s help when armed men stormed their village.

1/Lt. Vergel Lacambra, spokesperson for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said two attack helicopters backed the troops.

No one was wounded among the soldiers.

Meanwhile, a pursuit operation has been launched for a band of NPA guerrillas who tried to overrun a police station in Mati, Davao Oriental Sunday night, which left four soldiers and an insurgent killed.

Southern Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario said a joint police and military team was going after the rebels.

Police officers managed to defend the Mati City police station with the help of members of the Army’s 701st Infantry Brigade. – With Paul Jubelag