Clash kills lady insurgent

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Army on Thursday revealed that a female individual believed to be a member of the New People's Army was killed in an encounter with state troops in the upland village of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar.

The PA's 19th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Engcot said that the unidentified rebel was killed during the 20-minute clash on 20 September in the remote Senonogan de Tubang village.

He narrated that soldiers were conducting a patrol in the area after receiving reports that the communists were planning to recover the community which used to be their mass base and impose disciplinary actions of civilians who have shown support to the government.

Engcot added that the plan was also confirmed by a tipster who reported to the military regarding the presence of an armed group in the vicinity of Barangay Senonogan de Tubang.

The soldiers of the 19IB who were then conducting Focus Military Operation in the area were sent to respond and protect the community from the impending attack.

He said that the gunfight started at 1:30 p.m. and after the dust settled, the military discovered body of the female rebel together with her M16 rifle. The soldiers also found improvised grenades, subversive documents, personal belongings and backpacks of the retreating rebels.

There were no reported casualties on the government side and the identity of the female communist combatant that was killed has yet to be established.

Earlier this month, another communist rebel was also killed during an encounter between 19IB and 10 NPAs of Squad 2, SYP Pltn FC1, Sub-Regional Committee Emporium under Jerry Lutao alias NADI/TABA.

"Once again, I am calling for the remaining terrorist who are victims of lies and deception by the CPP-NPA-NDF still out there in the mountains to surrender for them to avail of the government's Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program and live a normal life with their families," Engcot said.