6 NPA rebels slain in Sultan Kudarat clash  

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Government troopers clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday, leaving six communist insurgents dead.

Soldiers belonging to the 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) led by Lt. Col. Frederick Chicote encountered around 10 rebels in Sitio Sandigan, Barangay Chua at around 5:30 a.m., Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, reported.

Police and military officials identified four of the fatalities as Dennis Dulonan, an official of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region sub-regional committee, his wife Lailyn, Sep Kasa and Jerry Kasa.

Western Mindanao Command acting chief Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas said Dulonan had a standing warrant for frustrated murder and arson.

Rojas said an AK47 rifle, three M16 rifles, assorted magazines with bullets, magazine pouches, medical kits, cell phones, propaganda materials and personal belongings were recovered from the slain rebels.

“Rest assured that we will sustain our campaign and strengthen our partnership with all stakeholders to destroy the remaining threat groups,” he said.

2 intel officers killed

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, the NPA’s Armando Sumayang Command claimed responsibility for the killing of Army intelligence operatives S/Sgt. Ken Camilan and Sgt. Regie Glindro of the 47th IB in Barangay Camindangan in Sipalay City on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd ID commander, said the victims were on a motorcycle on their way to Sitio Cambogiot to coordinate with barangay officials an upcoming peace engagement with former NPA supporters when they were attacked.

In Oriental Mindoro, four communist rebels surrendered in Barangay Waygan in Mansalay town.

Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia, Mimaropa police director, said the surrenderees were with the Lucio de Guzman Command of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

Hernia said the rebel returnees turned over a caliber .38 revolver, an improvised caliber .45 pistol and various ammunition.

Records show that the Mimaropa command has facilitated the surrender of 147 NPA rebels since January.

“We commit to sustain the success of this campaign toward a communist terrorist-free Mimaropa,” Hernia said. – John Unson, Ed Amoroso, Gilbert Bayoran