NPA’s tax collector, intel officer killed in Rizal encounter —military

An alleged revolutionary tax collector of the New People's Army and four other suspected communist rebels were killed during an encounter with state forces in Barangay San Juan in Baras, Rizal in the wee hours of Thursday.

Information from the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division said joint police and military forces were about to issue a warrant of arrest against Antonio "Dad" Cule, the supposed head of the Finance Staff and Execom member of the NPA's Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA) IV-A for a case of frustrated murder filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 65 in Infanta, Quezon.

The military said the rebels fired shots at the authorities, prompting the security forces to retaliate. This happened at 2:30 a.m.

Those killed include a certain Sandra, who is believed to be the wife of one Luis, allegedly the secretary of Guerilla Front Cesar. Authorities said Sandra was supposedly the SRMA's RBKU (Rebolusyonaryong Buwis sa Kaaway na Uri), who was in charge of the extortion efforts of the group to generate funds.

Also killed were a certain Onli, an intelligence officer, and three others who are yet to be identified.

Seized in the area were two M16 rifles, one caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .38 pistol, one Uzi rifle, electronic devices, and some subversive documents.

The military said Cule remains at large, but state forces are conducting follow-up operations to capture him.

Authorities said this incident would adversely affect the activities of the communist group. — BM, GMA News