CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—A New People’s Army rebel was killed on Sunday when government forces encountered an NPA camp at Mt. Banoy in Barangay Talumpok Silangan in Batangas City, the Calabarzon regional police office said.
In a report to Calabarzon police Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca, Batangas Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Randy Peralta said joint elements of the 730th Combat Group of the Philippine Air Force and Batangas Police Provincial Public Safety Company discovered the communist rebels’ camp while conducting security operations at Mt. Banoy at around 8:50 a.m. on Sunday.
A 40-minute firefight ensued, leaving the still-unidentified NPA rebel dead with no casualties on the government side. An M16 Rifle and bandolier with ammunition was recovered at the scene, and the troops noted strings were tied around the perimeter of the rebel camp, believed to be used for detonating improvised explosives.
Hundreds of families from nearby Barangay Talahib were evacuated to Barangays Masagitsit and Banalo in Lobo and Batangas City proper following the operations, the local Department of Social Welfare and Development office said.
Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 202nd Brigade, directed the troops to pursue the remaining NPAs. Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in the region, said the rebels were monitored “through the cooperation of the civilians leading to a strong intelligence buildup.”