NPA member killed in Davao Oriental encounter with Army

March 31, 2017

One member of New People’s Army (NPA) was killed while two soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Davao Oriental on Thursday morning.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, Army’s 10th Infantry Battalion spokesman, said troops of 28th and 66th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operation when they have encountered around 40 rebels belonging to Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 6 in Sitio Bukadan of Brgy Tagbinunga Mati City, Davao Oriental around 11:50 am.

The fire fight that lasted for about 20 minutes has resulted in the death of one rebel and  wounding of two soldiers.

Batchar said Pfc Jouie Oliveros and Pfc Anatoly Lechoncito had shrapnel wounds from the improvised explosive device blast.

“The wounded soldiers were immediately airlifted to Camp Panacan Station Hospital, Davao City while the cadaver of the NPA rebel was brought to Padilla Funeral, Mati City,” he added.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion commander, said the “enemy positions were hit by 105 artillery rounds as combat support to engaged troops.”

Zagala said “the Philippine Army will continue stability operations against lawless groups that undermine our democratic way of life and institutions.”

“These terrorists are not to be tolerated meeting the full force of the government to maintain law and order,” Zagala said.

Batchar said one of the rebel group member involved in the encounter surrendered  after the clash.

“An NPA member named Ricardo Bisaya alias Jonas, who is from Tarragona, Davao Oriental and was part of the group encountered by the troops surrendered to 28IB at Brgy Don Salvador Lopez, Mati City a few hours after the encounter,” he said.

“He (Bisaya) averred that he surrendered for fear of his life after seeing several of his comrades hit during the encounter,” he added.

Batchar said a female NPA identified by her alias as Shena, 14 and medic of PBC 6 surrendered to 701st Infantry Brigade stationed in Sitio Magay, Brgy Don Martin Marundan, Mati City. Robina Asido/DMS