ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Seven suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed after government forces overran a major encampment of the Communist group in the mountain ranges bordering the towns of Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat province on Friday, December 25.
Lt. Col. Anhouvic Atilano. spokesperson of 6th Infantry Division (6th ID), said government troops launched air assault to penetrate the rebel encampment where some 100 NPA rebels were gathered in the area to celebrate the 52nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Saturday, December 26.
“The NPA members were supposed to hold a regional plenum for the CPP-NPA in the area.” Atilano said.
He said troops from the 603rd Infantry Brigade launched operations against the NPA rebels after receiving intelligence report from local villagers that the rebels were massing up in the mountaneous area which could only be reached by foot for three days.
He said troops recovered three dead bodies, including two NPA amazons. Also recovered were two power generating sets, assorted firearms and improvised explosive devices.
Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th ID commander, said the military operations started last Monday, December 21, wherein the military launched aerial and ground troops to overrun the major encampment of the NPA Far-South Mindanao Regional Committee operating in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and South Cotabato.
He said the disbandment of the major encampment of the NPA was a big blow to the operational strength of the communist rebels in Central Mindanao wherein some 70 NPA rebels had surrendered to the military in Sultan Kudarat since January this year.