4 Reds slain in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while two soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Barangay Gawahon, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Friday.

Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Cpls. Ramy Chiefe and Louie Maghanoy of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) are now in stable condition.

Pasaporte said two improvised landmines with blasting caps, bandoleers for AK47 and M16 rifles, two handheld radios with charger, hammocks, blankets, assorted medicine, binoculars and cellular phones were among those recovered at the scene.

Lt. Col. Gerard Alvaran, 79th IB commander, said there would be no letup in the operations against NPA rebels even as the military would  continue to support local government units in addressing health concerns due to the coronavirus disease 2019.

On April 19, three soldiers died and four others were wounded when communist insurgents detonated landmines and lobbed fragmentation grenades in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City.

NPA camps seized

Meanwhile, soldiers recovered an NPA camp in Catubig, Northern Samar on Friday.

Lt. Col. Juan Gullem, 20th IB commander, said the camp could accommodate 40 people, with a multipurpose hall, 11 bunkers and 19 makeshift tents.

Gullem said 12 improvised explosive devices, two M14 rifles, an AK47, an M653, a caliber .22 rifle and a  hand grenade were among those recovered by the soldiers.

 First Lt. Roel Maglalang, civilian-military officer of the 23rd IB, said guns, ammunition and other war material were recovered when soldiers overran an NPA hideout in Barangay Nongnong, Butuan City, also on Friday.

In Masbate, a police officer was wounded in a bomb explosion in Monreal town.

The military lamented that NPA rebels are preventing the smooth distribution of relief goods and cash assistance to residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

In Sultan Kudarat, three NPA rebels surrendered in Senator Ninoy Aquino town.

The Soccsksargen police said Plag Dalimbang Sipot, 35; Saping Gampong Dumato, 57, and Sumadic Tungkulan Dumato, 40, turned over their firearms.

Police said the surrenderees were with the Daguma Front-Far South Mindanao Region that is known for extorting so-called protection money  from owners of business establishments, construction firms and bus companies operating in South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.