2 NPA rebels killed in Davao clash

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, one of them a ranking member, were killed in an encounter with government security forces in Davao del Sur on Saturday.

An alleged NPA amazon was arrested after the encounter that occurred in Barangay Astorga in Sta. Cruz town, according to Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson for the Eastern Mindanao Command.

The slain NPA leader was identified as Julito Pueblas, alias Taghoy, said to be the head of the Sentro de Grabidad of the NPA-Guerrilla Front 51.

The unit was said to be operating in the towns of Sta. Cruz and Bansalan as well as in Digos City, all in Davao del Sur, and some parts of Toril district in Davao City.

The name of the other fatality was not immediately available. The arrested female rebel was identified as Jessa Lumana.

She was taken to a hospital for medical checkup before she was turned over to the local police.

Pueblas and the guerrilla’s remains were turned over to the municipal social welfare office.

Cpl. Kenneth James Balicot of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion was wounded in the firefight, Balatey said. 

Security forces recovered from the site of the encounter an M16 rifle, four  improvised explosive devices, two rifle grenades, ammunition, two-way radios, seven backpacks, revolutionary flags, medical supplies and personal belongings. 

The firefight broke out at around noon in Sitio Bayongon between the rebels and a joint team of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion. 

Pueblas was severely wounded when found by pursuing troopers at around 5 p.m., of the same day.

The soldiers treated Pueblas wounds but he died as he was being taken to a helicopter landing point. 

Pueblas and his group were tagged in the ambush of a group of police officers in 2017 and of a government ambulance in 2014, both in Bansalan town.

The military said Pueblas was also responsible for the killing of a certain Raul Alang in Sta. Cruz town in February this year.

Meanwhile, an Army trooper was killed in another encounter in Mahaplag, Leyte on the same day.

Authorities withheld the names of the slain trooper until after his family is notified.

Reports said the troopers were conducting patrols in Sitio Canayan, Barangay San Juan when they encountered at least seven guerrillas.

The military expressed belief the rebels suffered casualties in the firefight that lasted 30 minutes.   – With Edith Regalado, Cecille Suerte Felipe