NPA reb slain in Sagada encounter; trooper hurt

SAGADA, Mountain Province – A New People’s Army rebel was killed while an Army trooper was also wounded in a Black Saturday encounter between government troops and communist elements here in remote mountain Balintaugan village.

Col. Loreto Magundayao, chief of the civil-military relations of the Isabela-based Army’s 5th Infantry Division, told newsmen the firefight came after patrolling soldiers from the 54th Infantry Battalion chanced upon more or less 10 rebels in the area about 8:30 a.m. that day.

“A firefight then ensued for almost two hours before the rebels withdrew, carrying with them their casualties as seen by villagers in their route of withdrawal,” said Magundayao.

The identity of the confirmed NPA fatality, however, is still unknown while the lone “slightly wounded” enlisted Army personnel was identified as Private First Class Wilbert Agabin.

The Army claimed that the fully-armed communist rebels whom they encountered belong to the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Guerilya-(Marco command) led by one Lupito Wigit, who, reports said is also known in the underground movement as Dalawa or Tumbas.

Recovered by government troops from the encounter site include two magazines for Armalite rifles and four backpacks with still undisclosed contents and personal belongings.