MANILA, Philippines — Dalawang rebelde ang napatay sa naganap na bakbakan sa Bontoc, Mountain Province, batay sa 5th Infantry Division (5ID).
Tinukoy ang mga nasawi na sina Ernesto Lucaben Jr. o Ashley/Lando, at Wilfredo Gaayon, alias Jaz, na miyembro umano ng KLG-AMPIS ng New People’s Army (NPA).
Ayon sa 5ID, nasa 10 hinihinalang NPA members ang nagpaulan ng bala sa 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company sa ilalim ng 54th Infantry Battalion habang sila ay nag-iikot.
Narekober ang M14 rifle; limang piraso ng magazine ng M14 rifle na may 70 round ng ammunition; tatlong piraso ng AK79 rifle magazine na may 20 rounds ng ammunition; siyam na anti-personnel mines; dalawang rifle grenades; dalawang hand grenades; dalawang blasting caps, wires, gamot, at iba pang personal belongings.
“Barangay Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province is not a place for you to hide. The people are giving us information about your presence in their community,” saad ni Commander of 5ID Major General Laurence Mina
“We wish to see you start a new life. And so, I am appealing to the remaining members of the CTGs to return to the folds of the law and avail the assistance of the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).”