By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The 9th Infantry Division (9ID) reported on Tuesday that a combatant of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been killed, and five others have surrendered to government troops in separate incidents across the Bicol Region.
Maj. Frank Roldan, 9ID spokesperson, said the rebel was killed after a 10-minute firefight with government troops in Barangay Salvacion, Garchitorena, Camarines Sur on Monday.
Roldan said that after the encounter, soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, explosives, including seven anti-personnel mines, equipment for making improvised explosive devices, ammunition, and personal belongings from the rebels.
“No casualties or injuries were reported on the military side, while the identity of the slain rebel is still being determined,” the report said.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang, acting division commander of the 9ID, condemned the continued presence and violence of the NPA in the area, describing it as a source of fear for the local community.
He also emphasized that the production and use of anti-personnel mines violate the International Humanitarian Law.
The 9ID reiterated its call for remaining NPA rebels to surrender to the government to avoid further loss of life.
Meanwhile, five NPA members surrendered in Camarines Sur on Sunday.
Roldan reported that the former rebels belonged to Platoon 3, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Bicol Regional Party Committee, known by their aliases Vincent, Joshua, Odet, Vangie, and Daisy, identified as the group’s medical officer.
He noted that the lack of direction in their movement was the main reason for their voluntary surrender to the government at the 9th Infantry Sandigan Battalion headquarters in Libmanan town.
Cabangbang thanked the five former rebels for their positive response to his call for reintegration.
He encouraged them to convince other former comrades to abandon the armed movement, stressing that they should not end up like their colleagues who lost their lives in the recent encounter.
In Milagros, Masbate province, five high-powered firearms were seized by the 2nd Infantry Battalion from NPA members of Platoon 2, Guerrilla South Field Committee, after an encounter with troops, also on Sunday.
Roldan said authorities received information regarding the presence of the armed group, prompting troops to conduct a combat operation that resulted in an almost 15-minute exchange of gunfire in Barangay San Carlos.
Five firearms, including an M4 rifle, an R4 rifle, an M653, and two M14 rifles, were left at the scene of the encounter, with magazines, bandoleers, hammocks, radios, and other equipment belonging to the rebels also seized. (PNA)
