Suspected NPA member killed as Army overruns rebel camp in Kalinga —military

A suspected member of the New People's Army died in an encounter with Philippine Army soldiers in Kalinga on Saturday, the military said Monday.

The fatality was identified as Julio Dumalyong alias Poli from Barangay Tanglag, Lubuagan, Kalinga, the Army's 5th Infantry Division said.

The military said the Army's 50th Infantry Battalion (50IB) conducted an operation in Barangay Bagtayan in the municipality of Pasil after receiving information about the presence of suspected rebels in the area.

More or less 15 members of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG)-BAGGAS fired upon the Army soldiers, prompting the state forces to respond by firefight. The encounter lasted for 35 minutes, the Army said.

The rebels then fled and left the body of the victim with his firearm, the Army added.

The soldiers overran the rebels' camp and recovered one M16 rifle, two magazines (one long and one short), 25 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one bandolier, transistor radio and other personal belongings.

After the military cleared the area, personnel from the Philippine National Police and SOCO team from the Kalinga Provincial Police Office went to the encounter site.

The victim's body was then brought to the barangay and later turned over to his family.

50IB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Melanio Somera expressed gratitude to residents for reporting the presence of the armed rebels, which allowed the military to respond immediately.

Brigadier General Santiago Enginco, commander of the Army's 503rd Infantry Brigade, meanwhile conveyed condolences to the victim's family.

He also urged remaining rebels to surrender.

Major General Laurence Mina, commander of the Army's 5th Infantry Division, meanwhile lauded the 50IB troops for the successful operation. —KG, GMA News