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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Six communist rebels killed in Iloilo, Negros Occidental clashes

Six communist rebels killed in Iloilo, Negros Occidental clashes

Published Feb 28, 2024 07:20 am

Three communist rebels died in a fierce gun battle that led to the Army troopers overrunning their camp in San Joaquin town of Iloilo early morning on Wednesday, Feb. 28, a military official said.

Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 301st Brigade, said the operation also resulted in the confiscation of four M16 rifles, an Ak-47 rifle, three bandoleers; a commercial radio, and nine backpacks containing personal belongings of the rebels.

He said his men were deployed in the forested part of Barangay Torocadan in San Joaquin based on confirmed intelligence reports on the presence of a group of rebels in the area.

At 3:20 a.m., the clash erupted between elements of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion with around 20 communist rebels which lasted for around 20 minutes.

Aside from the three recovered cadavers, Samson said his men also spotted traces of blood on the escape routes of the communist rebels.

“The progress of this operation is a result of the collaboration among the different government agencies and the peace loving people of Panay realizing that the consolidation of fully armed CNTs (CPP-NPA terrorists) is a threat to the peace and stability in the region,” said Samson.

In Negros Occidental, three more communist rebels died in a series of gunfights with elements of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso town starting Feb. 21.

The three slain rebels were identified as Emaren Pastidio, Michael and Jose Caramihan. Seized during the operation were 20 firearms composed mainly of rifles.

Lt. Gen. Benedict M Arevalo, commander of the of the Visayas Command (VISCOM), said a total of nine gun battles actually occurred in the area since his men were deployed to run after communist rebels who are remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the New People’s Army.

“The CPP-NPA continues to lose its grasp in the region. Their support system continues to crumble, their leaders continue to fall to the hands of the government forces, their capability continues to diminish, and the number of their members continues to dwindle following the influx of surrenders,” said Arevalo.

“We intend to sustain these gains, as we embody the sense of urgency in ending the local communist armed conflict now that the terrorist group continues to fall apart,” he added.

The clash occurred a few days after six communist rebels, including a lawyer, were killed in a gun battle in Bohol.

Related Tags

CPP-NPA Negros Occidental Iloilo Philippine Army
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