Soldier, 6 NPA rebels killed in Batangas clash

MANILA, Philippines — A soldier and six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter in Balayan, Batangas yesterday.

Three other soldiers were wounded in the clash in Barangay Malalay. They were taken to the Medical Center Western Batangas.

The military said soldiers belonging to the Army’s 59th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force were conducting combat operations in Barangay Malalay when they clashed with an undetermined number of rebels believed to be members of the NPA’s Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee Sub-Regional Military Area 4C.

“We are ensuring that our wounded soldiers will receive the best medical care. We will provide all the necessary assistance to the family of our slain soldier during this difficult time,”  Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said in a statement.

The public affairs office of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) said two M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, a shotgun and subversive documents were recovered from the fatalities.

It said the families of those killed or wounded on the side of the government have been notified.

”This encounter has incurred a fatality in our ranks, but this will not deter our resolve to continue our sworn duty in ensuring the safety and security of our communities against these terrorist groups, especially this Yuletide season,” Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, 2nd ID commander, said.

He urged the NPA rebels to give peace a chance, surrender and embrace the government’s peace programs so that they can be with their families and loved ones this Christmas.