2 alleged NPA rebels killed in Isabela clash

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Two alleged New People's Army guerrillas were killed by soldiers in a brief firefight in Barangay Cadsalan, San Mariano, Isabela on Monday afternoon.

 

Soldiers from Alpha Company of the 86th Infantry Battalion were on a security patrol to check on villagers’ reports that rebels were foraging for food and asking villagers for money when they were fired upon by an unknown number of rebels.

 

Though unnamed, two rebels were reportedly killed and a shotgun and a cal.22 rifle and spent shells were found where the two fell, the military said.

 

Barangay officials and San Mariano town police are now helping the military identify the slain rebels.

 

On May 7, rebels fired at a detachment in Barangay Tappa, also in San Mariano and another militia detachment in Maddela, Quirino.

 

Lt. Col. Vladimir Cagara, commanding officer of the 86th IB, extended his condolences to the families of the two slain rebels.

 

Peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines broke down in July after the NPA launched attacks against security forces, including one on a Presidential Security Group convoy passing through North Cotabato.

 

Prior to the breakdown of talks, the CPP and NPA had expressed opposition to martial law in Mindanao and what they said was an all-out war by the government against communist rebels.