(Updated)
Five alleged communist rebels and a Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were killed while another cop was wounded when state forces encountered New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Bilar, Bohol on Friday morning, February 23.
A report from the Philippine Army (PA) said among those killed was the top NPA leader in Bohol identified as Domingo Compoc alias "Eloy / Cobra / Jing", secretary of the Bohol Party Committee-Defunct Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (BPC (D) KR-NCBS).
According to the military, elements of the 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) and 21st Special Forces Company (21SFC) were conducting a joint enhanced military police operation (JEMPO) with the PNP's Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC)-Bohol when they figured in a fierce firefight against the remnants of the BPC(D) KR-NCBS.
The encounter occurred at Sitio Matin-ao 2 in Brgy. Campagao around 6:25 a.m.
"As of now, the encounter is on-going. We also have one wounded PNP personnel. This is a joint operation by the Army and PNP," Col. Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesperson, said.
Dema-ala also clarified that they have yet to receive official report that two soldiers were also killed in action (KIA) during the clash.
"There was no report yet from the ground about it. We are waiting for the official report," he said.
The troops have so far recovered an M653 assault rifle; an R4 assault rifle; an M16 rifle; and three caliber .45 pistols.
The military's Visayas Command (VisCom) said that Compoc had a bounty of P2.6 million and was allegedly wanted for several cases including rebellion, homicide, attempted homicide, multiple murder, frustrated murder, and robbery.
"This latest debacle of the CPP-NPA is a clear manifestation of our steadfast commitment on ending the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas region," said Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of VisCom.
"May this send a message to the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA still hiding in the outskirt communities in the region. We will never stop, and we will continue to hunt you down until justice is served for all the atrocities you have committed to our country and people," he added.