ANGELES CITY – The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) reported yesterday that 12 New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas, including their leader and two women, were killed in a firefight with Army soldiers Monday morning in Barangay Caganayan in Tineg, Abra.
Nolcom also reported that one of their colleagues was killed in the clash. Capt. Jovilyn Cabading, Nolcom spokesperson, said elements of the 41st Infantry Battalion under the 503rd Infantry Brigade led by one 1st Lt. Capoquian were on combat patrol at about 7:45 a.m. Monday when a group of about 30 rebels led by one Ka Oxi
fired at them.
She said that Cpl. Lloyd Tega of the Army was killed in action. Some of the 12 killed rebels were identified as their leader Loverito Bernal alias Ka Oxy who heads the NPA Abra party committee, their female medical officer
identified only as Ka Ogie, another woman identified as Ka Winnie, Reynaldo Masadao alias Ka Cris, Junjun Balbil alias Ka Recti, one Ka Omeng, one Ka Bunso, one Ka Berlyn.
The bodies of therebels were turned over to the mayor of Tineg, Cabading said. “Subversive documents, rebel’s personal belongings and eight high powered firearms were also recovered from the rebels.
Four M16, four M16 baby armalite, one M14, and one laptop. “An OV-10 and MG Fighters from the Philippine Air Force provided close air support to the ground troops,” she said. Nolcom commander Maj. Gen. Jessie Dellosa reminded the troops on the ground to provide medical treatment to wounded NPA rebels.
“We, your soldiers are not happy with the death of our fellow Filipinos including NPA rebels who are merely being used and manipulated by their CPPleaders,” Dellosa said.
Dellosa urged NPA rebels to “just return to the government’s fold of law and live in peace together with their loved ones. We are encouraging NPA members to surrender rather than fight.” Dellosa said the death of the eight rebels in last Monday’s clash was “a major setback as far as the local terrorist movement is concerned.”
“It will definitely reduce their capability to launch immediate terroristic acts against peace-loving communities.
However, this will not stop them (NPA) from planning another deliberate attack to portry that they are still strong and have influence.
As much as we want to assure the public that the soldiers will always protect the communities against all groups that threaten their safety and security, we cannot achieve this without your full support and trust in your armed forces,” Dellosa added.
