2 rebels killed in Ilocos encounter

BY FREDDIE LAZARO

NUEVA ERA, Ilocos Sur – Two members of the New People’s Army were killed while three government troopers including a paramilitary man were slightly wounded in an encounter held at Sitio Dapulang, Barangay Poblacion here on Nov. 17.

The Army troopers also recovered from the NPA rebels four M-16 rifles, two
ICOM handheld radios, improvised explosive devices with blasting caps, voluminous subversive documents and personal belongings after the encounter.
Col. Roy T. Devesa, Commander of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion based in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, said in his report to newly-promoted Brigadier General Loreto G. Rirao, Commander of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Barangay Sulvec, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, that his troops led by Lt. Belmonte were on patrol in the area after receiving a report from the residents in the area about the presence of the NPA rebels in their locality.

Upon reaching Sitio Dalupang, the troops chanced upon the group of around 30
fully NPA guerillas and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

The firefight reportedly lasted for almost an hour until the enemy hurriedly withdrew, leaving two of their dead comrades behind.

The troops also recovered four M16 assault rifles, and several subversive documents from the encounter site.

The two government troops wounded in the encounter were identified as private first class Pejeh U. Cervantes and private Jeffrey B. Annang.

They were treated at the Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz Hospital in nearby Narvacan town. The bodies of the communist terrorists were turned over to the local government officials in the said village for proper disposition.

Maj. Gen. Melchor J. Dilodilo, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division said he was grateful for the cooperation Nueva Era in reporting presence of the NPA.