15 NPAs slain in 4-day gunbattle

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen communist insurgents, four of them New People’s Army (NPA) leaders, were killed after four days of combat operations at the boundary of Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental since Sunday.

Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., spokesman for the 402nd Infantry Brigade, identified the slain NPA leaders as Ian dela Rama, Peter Pinakilid and Paquito Namatidong, secretary, political officer and commanding officer of Sandatahing Yunit Pampropaganda of the Guerrilla Front 4A, and Rio Amor Yuson, North Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee finance officer.

”Initial skirmishes on May 10 resulted in the killing of 10 NPAs. We pursued them in the forest, killing another five rebels,” Garello said.

He said two M16 rifles, an AK-47, a carbine an M14 rifle, ammunition, communication equipment and 10 landmines were among those recovered at the site of the encounter.