2 female rebs, 1 gov’t soldier killed in clash

BY FREDDIE LAZARO

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – Two female members of the New People’s Army and a government trooper were killed while another soldier and several other rebels were wounded in an encounter last week in Barangay Kilang, Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.

In a report to Col. Loreto G. Rirao, commander of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Barangay Sulbec, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Lt. Col. Roy T. Devesa, commander of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion, said identities of the slain rebels were withheld pending verification.

Devesa said before the encounter, his men received reports from a civilian asset about the presence of the rebels, who were allegedly extorting cash and food from the residents.

“After we confirmed the report, I sent immediately a platoon of soldiers to the area,” he said.
He said the soldiers clashed with the heavily armed rebels in a 30-minute gun battle at about 11:30 that day.

Later, the rebels fled to different directions, carrying with them their dead and wounded comrades.

The bodies of the slain rebels were abandoned in a bid to evade pursuit operations,” Devesa said. The cadavers were later found by the folk in Barangay Abayan.