Clashes IN WV 5 rebels killed, 3 soldiers hurt

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — More than a week into the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, three encounters between government forces and the New People's Army occurred in Western Visayas, resulting in the death of five rebels and the wounding of three soldiers.

On Saturday (May 5) morning, the NPA suffered a blow during a clash with the 61st Infantry Battalion at Barangay Cabalunan in Miag-ao, Iloilo where two of their alleged members were killed, later identified as Domingo Sebano, 33, and Elvin Tanatoy, 27, both of Tubungan town in Iloilo.

After the 10-minute firefight, the body of Sebano was recovered from the encounter site, while the body of Tanatoy was found during a follow-up operation, some 50 meters from where the first body was found. Soldiers also recovered an M653 and AK 47 rifles, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

Lieutenant Colonel Sesinando Magbalot Jr., 61st IB commander, said his men went to the area in response to complaints from residents about the rebels’ forced recruitment of minors. What ensued was the encounter.

More than an hour after the Miag-ao incident, another armed clash took place between the soldiers and the rebels at Barangay Caratagan in Calinog, Iloilo. This time, three members of the 61st IB were slightly wounded after they were hit by an improvised explosive device (IED), which was latched on a tree branch.

The wounded soldiers were identified as Private First Class John Anthony Barrientos, Corporal Hans Christian de la Cruz, and Sergeant Paolo Ogaro.

Brigadier General Pio Diñoso, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said Barrientos sustained shrapnel injuries on his hand, forehead, and left shoulder; Dela Cruz was hit by shrapnel on the back of his body and left hand, while Ogaro was hit on his chest and head. They are now out of danger, said the official.

Diñoso believed that it could be election-related. "They (rebels) are pushing for their own candidates. But their own way of campaigning is through threats and intimidation." He also received reports that the rebels were asking money from the candidates in areas that were deemed election watchlist areas (EWAs) due to rebel infestation.

Earlier on May 4 (Friday), the first encounter at around 10:55 p.m. occurred at Barangay Camayobo Proper, in Calatrava town of Negros Occidental.

Three armed men, believed to be members of the Armed Independent Group died, and three others were captured during the almost 5-minute gunbattle between the group and the troopers of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-6 at the rebel-infested Barangay Cambayobo of Calatrava.

Killed were Sabino “alias Kadong” Mancao, the group’s alleged leader, Ramil Castor, 18, and Emat Himang, 16, all residents of Barangay Bug-ang in Toboso town of Negros Occidental.

RMFB-6 operatives, led by Chief Inspector Yolando Lago Jr. also arrested Romnick Octavio, 28; Pepe Lausa, 51, a tanod; and Josie Castos, Mancao's live-in partner.

Mancao used to be with the NPA movement but decided to establish his own group and went into extortion racket. He and his group allegedly stayed at the house, owned by Barangay Chairperson Litecia Hubahib of Cambayobo village. But Hubahib denied the allegation claiming that she was not staying in the hut and only used the area to park her vehicle. But she admitted knowing Mancao.

Chief Inspector John Joel Batusbatusan, Calatrava Police chief, said Mancao, Castor and Himang succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. Three other members of the group however managed to escape, he said.

Batusbatusan said the policemen, led by Chief Inspector Yolando Lago Jr. and Senior Inspector Ryan Villasario, recovered two homemade .357-calber revolvers, a .38-caliber revolver from the three slain suspects. A KG9 automatic pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, and assorted ammunition were also recovered at the encounter site.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina, 3rd Infantry Division commander, reiterated the call for the CPP-NPA to abandon its armed struggle, return to mainstream society, and live in peace together with their families. "We are encouraging the NPA members to give peace a chance," he said, as he vowed the government's support in helping them in their transformation. (FREEMAN)