5 NPA rebels killed in Cagayan clash

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Five New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed in a two-hour ground, air and artillery offensive launched by government forces in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan on Tuesday.

Soldiers belonging to the 501st Infantry Brigade clashed with around 40 rebels belonging to the Komiteng Probinsiya Cagayan, Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley, who were reportedly extorting and harassing civilians in Barangay Dungeg.

The NPA rebels abandoned their slain comrades as they retreated.

Three high-powered firearms, five anti-personnel mines, five handheld radios, four cell phones, assorted medical supplies and equipment, rebel documents and personal belongings were recovered at the scene.

“Information provided by locals and the timely, precise and well-coordinated actions of ground troops and the Philippine Air Force led to this decisive engagement against the NPAs without any casualty on the side of government forces and civilians,” the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said in a statement.

Nolcom said the recovered landmines confirmed the rebels’ continuous violation and disregard of the International Humanitarian Law and the Mine Ban Convention.

Mass surrender

In Northern Samar and Samar provinces, at least 2,002 NPA rebels and their supporters from nine towns and a city surrendered yesterday.

Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, 803rd Infantry Brigade acting commander, said the surrenderees are from San Roque, Pambujan, Bobon Lavezares, Victoria, San Isidro, Lope de Vega and Catarman in Northern Samar and Calbayog City in Samar.

At least 214 of the surrenderees were from the Batakang Organisasyon ng Pampartido/Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, 436 Milisyang Bayan/Yunit Milisya, 160 underground mass organizations and 1,431 NPA supporters.