2 rebels slain in Capiz clash

ILOILO , Philippines  – Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with Army troopers in Maayon, Capiz on Friday.

The bodies of Ian Borres and Lorendo Borres were recovered shortly after the firefight that erupted at around 3:40 p.m. in Barangay Jebaca, according to Lt./Col. Leonardo Peña, chief of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB).

“The rebels were about to retreat when two of them were killed,” Peña said.

The rebels, led by Romulo Gangoso alias Raegan, were reportedly engaged in extortion activities in the towns of Maayon, Cuartero, and Dumarao, all in Capiz, and in Lemery, Iloilo.

The troopers recovered three shotguns and a hand grenade from the scene of the firefight.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division ordered its troops to be on alert at all times for possible retaliatory attacks.

Meanwhile, in Davao del Sur, troopers recovered firearms and improvised explosive devices from an NPA camp that they overran following a firefight on Saturday.

The Army’s 39th IB said the rebels retreated after they ran out of ammunition during the encounter that occurred in Bansalan town.

The camp, located in Barangay Managa, had more than 40 tents that can accommodate at least 100 individuals, the Army said.

Villagers have complained to the military about a group of men engaging in extortion activities in their community.