2 suspected NPA rebels killed in Misamis Oriental clash

Two suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed following separate clashes in in Misamis Oriental.

The military said the first encounter between government security forces and the insurgents ensued near Sitio Kamansi in Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental last Sunday around 9 a.m. 

Around 30 NPA rebels from the Guerrilla Front 4B of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee engaged elements of the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division for about 25 minutes which resulted to the deaths of two NPA rebels.

Recovered after the encounter were two AK-47 rifles and one M16 rifle.

One of the suspected NPA rebels killed was identified as Odelo Campos alias Sapayanan, the alleged “functional staff for Explosives/Ordnance and Production,” responsible for “making and producing improvised explosive and landmines.”

“Campos who is a functional staff for Explosives/Ordnance and production of Guerilla Front 4B is a bomb maker himself. He makes landmines and IEDs proving that NPAs disrespect the International Humanitarian Law and are worthy to be called as terrorists,” Major General Ronald Villanueva, commander of the 4th Infantry Division was quoted as saying in a press statement.

The military, however, has yet to determine the identity of the other rebel fatality.

Another firefight took place for about 20 minutes on the same day at 1:45 p.m. near Sitio Bayhutao which resulted to one soldier wounded.

The injured soldier was brought to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City at around 10 a.m. on Monday and is now in a stable condition.

The military believes that several other NPA rebels were wounded following the series of firefight as bloodstains were allegedly seen along the withdrawal route.

Government troops, meanwhile, also seized one M203 grenade launcher, one 12-guage shotgun, one M635 Carbine, one air gun, ammunition, and sniper scope from the rebels encampment with 20 makeshift bunkers that can accommodate around 50 NPA rebels.

Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said the casualties would have not happened if only the NPA rebels “heeded the call of the government to lay down their arms and go back to the folds of the law.” 

Villanueva said that the NPA are the “reason why there are delays of development in the areas of Mindanao.”

“They are desperately recruiting people that will join their failed armed struggle by force, threat and intimidation,” Villanueva said.

“Further, NPA terrorists are the ones laying down IEDs and landmines that endanger not only lives of our soldiers but also the innocent civilians,” he added. — Marlly Rome Bondoc/RSJ, GMA News