Daily TribuneNPA rebels suffer losses in Northern Samar encounter with troops
Three New People's Army members were killed and three other NPAs were arrested during separate clashes between government troops and communist rebels in Northern Samar last Friday, the Philippine Army said yesterday.
One of the fightings erupted in Barangay Happy Valley, San Isidro town around 12:30 p.m. when soldiers responding to reports of armed groups allegedly extorting food and money were fired upon by rebels, Colonel Perfecto Peñaredondo, commander of the 803rd Brigade based in Catarman, said.
Two NPA rebels were killed and three others were arrested in the combat, Peñaredondo said.
The rebels belong to the Front Committee 2 and Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit of the NPA's Sub-Regional Committee "Emporium" of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee led by Jebry Gil Seda alias Enteng, Peñaredondo added.
A day earlier, troops from the 3rd Infantry Battalion figured in a clash with the rebels in Km. 6, Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas town in the same province at around 2:40 p.m. resulting in the death of one NPA member.
The fighting started when soldiers who were also responding to another reported extortion activity encountered an armed group. A 30-minute gun battle followed until the rebels fled to different directions.
The military recovered from the scene the body of one guerilla fighter and weapons, including an M16 rifle and one short magazine for M16.
Blood stains left from the scene also indicated that some of those who fled could have been wounded from the encounter.
Peñaredondo appealed to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA leadership in the region to turn over their wounded comrades for immediate medical treatment.
He also encouraged remaining members of the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms, go back to their families and start a new productive life under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (and the Northern Samar Local Social Integration Program.
