By Martin Sadongdong
Two alleged members of a Communist group were killed in an encounter between suspected rebels and government troops in Camarines Sur Monday.
In a military report Tuesday, authorities identified the slain suspects as Roni Abellada Boncolmo alias "Jake," 45, said to be the commanding officer of Komite Seksyon sa Platun1 of Larangan 2, Komiteng Probinsya 1 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC); and an alias "Oris."
Joint elements of Ninth Infantry Battalion (9IB) of the Ninth Infantry Division (9ID), Philippine Army and Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO) responded to a report from a concerned citizen about the presence of armed rebels in Barangay San Vicente, Lupi town around 12:30 p.m.
The responding troops chanced upon about 15 armed suspects which resulted in a 30-minute firefight.
The military said that after the gun battle, the guerillas escaped towards different directions, leaving their dead comrades behind.
Meanwhile, no one was hurt on the government side, the military added.
Major General Fernando Trinidad, commander of 9ID, urged other Communist rebels to "lay down their arms and return to the comfort of their families and friends."
Recovered from the encounter site were six 5.56mm M16 rifles, a 5.56mm M653 rifle, an anti-personnel improvised explosive device (IED), and other war material and subversive documents.