ILOILO – Government troops and rebels clashed in Barangay Ongyod, Miag-ao town yesterday morning, three days after a skirmish there Friday last week.
A New People’s Army fighter was killed while a Philippine Army soldier was wounded.
As of this writing, the dead rebel remained unidentified.
The leg-wounded Sergeant Janny Labrador of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion (61IB), on the other hand, was hospitalized.
After the rebels retreated, soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, antipersonnel mine, medicines, backpacks, kitchen utensils and subversive documents of high intelligence value, according to Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
The 30-minute encounter happened at around 8 a.m. There were an estimated 15 rebels.
A hot pursuit operation was launched after the rebels retreated.
“Iniwan nila ang kanilang namatay na kasama para mabilis ang pagtakbo nila,” said Pancito.
An hour before the Miag-ao encounter, rebels fired shots at the detachment of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit in Sitio Sambag, Barangay Dagami, Maasin town. There were no casualties or injuries.
“The Maasin harassment was a diversionary tactics of the rebels. They did not know we have more soldiers in Miag-ao ready to engage them,” said Pancito.
The rebels belonged to the Suyak Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay led by Joven Ceralvo alias Lex, said Pancito.
“This group is hampering not only development projects in the area but also the people’s peaceful lives,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, 61IB commander.
On the other hand, Major General Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3ID, called on the rebels to surrender and look after the welfare of their wounded rebels.
“Don’t leave them. Surrender them to the government for proper medical attention. Your Army will be happy to accept and help your companions,” said Dolina./PN
