Rebel slain, 7 arrested in Misamis clashes

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed while seven others were arrested in separate encounters with government security forces in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental yesterday morning.

Two soldiers and a rebel were wounded in the firefights that occurred in the villages of Bagacay and Cogon, the military said.

The first firefight broke out as troopers of the Army’s 10th Infantry Battalion (IB) were responding to a report about the presence of armed men in Barangay Bagacay.

The men reportedly opened fire at the soldiers, triggering an encounter that lasted several minutes.

The armed men retreated, prompting authorities to pursue them.

A team from the 2nd Police Mobile Force Company intercepted the suspects in nearby Barangay Cogon, which resulted in another firefight and arrest of the suspects.

“Authorities recovered a rifle, four pistols, seven grenades, three motorcycles and bomb paraphernalia at the scene of the encounter,” Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, chief of the 10th IB, said.

Additional troops were deployed in the area to block those who evaded arrest.

The wounded soldiers were brought to the nearest hospital for treatment along with the wounded guerrilla.

Tiongson said the six other rebels would be subjected to a medical checkup before they are turned over to the police for proper disposition. 

Col. Leonel Nicolas, chief of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the clashes and the arrest were the results of a collaboration between the community and the government.

Meanwhile, a ranking NPA leader in the Caraga region downplayed a statement issued by local government units declaring the rebels “persona non grata.”

Ka Oto, spokesperson for the NPA’s Front Committee 16 in Northeastern Mindanao, said the declaration would not solve the country’s insurgency problem. 

He said the local governments and the municipal peace and order councils in the region were coerced to pass resolutions against the communist movement. – With Ben Serrano