The 41st Infantry Battalion under the 503rd Infantry Brigade led by First Lieutenant Capoquian was conducting combat patrol around 7:45 in the morning to check the validity of reports (as tipped-off by a resident) of NPA in the place led by a certain Loverito Bernal alias Ka Oxi who died on the spot after the returned of gun burst.
Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) spokesman Cpt Jovily Carmel D. Cabading said that among the 8 body counts, there were 2 amazons confirmed on the part of the enemy based while there is one (1) killed in action (KIA) on the government side who was identified as Cpl Lloyd D Tega from Philippine Army.
An OV10 and MG Fighters from the Philippine Air Force provided close air support to the ground troops yesterday afternoon.
Northern Luzon Command Chief Major General Jessie Dellosa has reminded the troops on the ground to inform the local folks that the wounded NPA rebels will be given appropriate medical attention.
Dellosa said that our soldiers are not happy with the death of our fellow Filipinos (especially those NPAs, whose angst and gripes, are being used and manipulated by their CPP leaders). It will be much better for everyone if they (NPA) will just return to the government’s fold and live in peace together with their loved ones. We are encouraging their (NPA) surrender rather than fight them in combat (and incur more deaths from both parties in the process.)
Cabading supported Dellosa’s claim by explaining further that there is nothing to be glorified about the death of NPAs. There is no victory in that. There are legitimate reasons why they became rebels and the roots of insurgency is known to many. We hope that they (NPA) will realize sooner that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) who manipulates them (NPA) and agitates their gripes against the government does not want this insurgency to end because of the funds they (CPP) get/generate from extortion in the guise of what they call “revolutionary tax”. The present administration is doing its best in addressing these roots of insurgency. OPAPP is already exerting extra efforts in the negotiating table. Let us give ‘peace talk’ a genuine chance.
Dellosa added that this is 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 portray 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.
5th Infantry Division chief Maj. General Rommel A. Gomez said in a telephone interview that the result of yesterdays firefights is a big collapsed with the “Abra-kilusang larangan guerilla (KLG) fronts” operating in the place.
“The rebels Abra Party Committee were only few now because of the setbacks according to our intelligence validation,” Gomez said.
“The mountainous terrain of Abra here in cordillera is convenient place for tourists attraction and not for the bandits like them, explaining that as of this reports the soldiers are still conducting clearing operation in the area.
As of this reports, Gomez said that the fatalities were turn-over to Mayor Edwin B. Crisologo Sr. for proper dispositions.
The cadavers were identified by local folks as Loverito Bernal alias Ka Oxy-the commanding officer of KLG Northeast Abra Party Committee, Reynaldo Masadao alias Ka Cris, Junjun Balbin alias Recti, a certain Ka Ogie (amazon), Ka Omeng, Ka Bunso, Ka Berlyn and Ka Winnie (amazon).
“Our air force plane fighters could not enter in the mountainous part of the encountered site because of zero visibility right now,” Gomez said.
Prior to this, Gomez has ordered his soldiers in the area to adhere human rights in the communities and also among the rebels who will be caught in the crossfire. (Jason de Asis)
