5 NPA rebels killed in Bohol encounter with Army

CEBU, Philippines —  At least five members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including an alleged high-ranking member of the group, were killed in an encounter with the military in Barangay Cabacnitan, Bilar, Bohol on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

As of this writing, authorities are in pursuit of at least six NPA members who fled the encounter.

Lt. Elma Grace Remonde said the army personnel went to the barangay Tuesday dawn after a concerned citizen reported spotting NPA members in the area Monday night. The military men reportedly confirmed that the group was armed but the NPA members allegedly fired the first shot.

"Ni-patrol amoang Philippine armies sa barangay ganinang (Tuesday) kadlawon and then positibo nga nakita nila nga mga armado… unfortunately, giunhan sila ug pabuto,” Remonde said.

Almost an hour after shots were fired starting at around 5:30 a.m., five members of the NPA were dead and soldier was wounded.

"Naa pud tay usa ka wounded nga personnel but nadala na pud sya karon sa hospital and stable na sya,” Remonde said.

Seized from the encounter site were two M16 rifles; five 45 caliber pistols; one bandolier; three short magazines of an M16 with 30 rounds of ammunition; six mobile phones; a laptop; a grenade; a hand-held radio, and various subversive documents with “high intelligence value.”

As of yesterday, the five dead NPA members have not been identified. Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were tasked to retrieve the bodies from the area.

In a separate statement released by 3rd Infantry Battalion, one of the fatalities is believed to be the Vice Commanding Officer of the SYP Platoon of Bohol Party Committee.

Remonde said there was no presence of the NPA in Barangay Cabacnitan before. While located by the main road, the barangay is surrounded by mountains.

"Continue gihapon atong clearing operation and ginabawal pa namo gihapon sa mga sibilyan and other people sa barangay nga musulod sa area,” Remonde said.

At least 23 families needed to be housed at the barangay hall as authorities clear the area of the encounter.

Remonde said the cooperation of the community was a big factor in the operation.

"Naa na gyuy mga tawo sa kada barangay nga abtik kaayo mu-report kung naay mga presensya sa mga tawo nga dili na gusto nila kay sila nagdala nana sila og kahadlok sa mga barangay,” Remonde said.

Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, lauded the residents of Bohol for helping ensure their areas are free of insurgents.

“Bohol was once declared insurgency-free province because of the will of the people to stay peaceful. This province is not a safe place for NPAs. Boholanos are resilient and united people. They will not allow violence to prosper again in their beautiful island. The NPAs should heed the call of Boholanos for a harmonious province for them to avoid this kind of misfortune,” Vinoya said.

It was in 2009 when the AFP Central Command declared Bohol and Cebu as insurgency-free. Being “insurgency-free,” according to military, means they have received no more reports of armed men in an area. — JMO (FREEMAN)