Cop, 5 NPA rebels slain in Bohol clash

MANILA, Philippines — Five New People’s Army rebels, including a ranking NPA member, and a policeman were killed in an encounter in Bilar, Bohol yesterday morning.

Another policeman was wounded in the clash.

The Visayas Command (VISCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines identified the slain NPA leader as Domingo Compoc, alias Silong, of the Bohol party committee.

Personnel of the Bohol police and 47th Infantry Battalion were conducting a joint operation when the clash occurred in Barangay Capagao.

Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, VISCOM public information office chief, said an M653 assault rifle, an R4 assault rifle, an M16 rifle and three caliber .45 pistols were recovered from the fatalities.

Galorio said Compoc had a P2.6-million bounty on his head.

The NPA leader had arrest warrants for rebellion, homicide, attempted homicide, multiple murder, frustrated murder and robbery.

VISCOM commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo lauded the troops for their operation, saying it was a ”clear manifestation of our steadfast commitment on ending the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas region.”

“May this send a message to the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA still hiding in  outskirt communities in the region,” Arevalo said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines. ”We will never stop, and we will continue to hunt you down until justice is served for all the atrocities you have committed against our country and people.”

“This recent success in our campaign was made possible by the active support of our people, who have been providing us with credible information leading to the demise of the CPP-NPA,” he added.

1,000 villagers displaced

In Negros Occidental, around 1,000 villagers were displaced as NPA rebels clashed with Army soldiers in Barangay Pinupugasan in Escalante City on Wednesday and Thursday.

At least 101 families or 491 people also fled their homes in neighboring Sitios Mainit, Mansulao, Mag-aso, Danao and Balod in Barangay San Isidro in Toboso town.

The military launched an air strike against the rebels, which lasted for 45 minutes, according to Lt. Col. Jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman.

Classes were suspended in nine barangays in Toboso town in the past two days due to the encounters. — Emmanuel Tupas, Gilbert Bayoran, Ric Obedencio