4 NPA rebels killed in clash with soldiers

MANILA, Philippines — Four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Davao Oriental on Tuesday, the military reported yesterday. 

There was no reported casualty on the government side.

Soldiers were verifying reports that NPA rebels were collecting so-called revolutionary taxes from residents of Barangay Marayag in Lupon town when the clash occurred, Capt. Andrew Linao, 701st Infantry Brigade (IB) commander, said.

Linao said an improvised explosive device  and four guns were recovered from the fatalities.

Linao said pursuit operations for the rebels are ongoing.

2 battalions to fight

Reds in Negros

With the all-out offensive against the communists following the scrapping of peace talks, the military will deploy two more battalions in Negros island.

A battalion will be deployed this month and another next month, Brig. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, newly designated commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said during a courtesy call on Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon on Tuesday.

The 3rd ID’s three battalions were deployed in Marawi last year to fight Maute militants.

Dolina said the 3rd ID would also activate the 93rd IB to be deployed in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

Two battalions are currently deployed on the island.

The military said it is eyeing the declaration of Negros, Iloilo and Capiz as insurgency-free by the end of the year. There are around 500 rebels operating in the areas.

In Northern Luzon, the newly appointed commander of the 5th ID, Brig. Gen. Perfecto Rimando Jr., said the campaign against the communists would be “bloody” if NPA rebels will not surrender.

“It is best for them to surrender…and help solve once and for all the problem of insurgency in the country,” Rimando said.