Army says 3 more NPA guerrillas killed in Sultan Kudarat military offensives
CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO—The Philippine Army said at least three more communist rebels were killed in another clash in Sultan Kudarat province on Sunday, bringing the number of rebel casualties to 13 since the military launched counterinsurgency offensives starting on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve.
Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division chief, said two battalions—the 5th Special Forces and 37th Infantry—joined forces at a village in Kalamansig town in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) fighters there. The military said at least four rebels were wounded.
A supposed safehouse of rebels at the village of Datu Wasay was raided by soldiers, killing NPA guerrillas identified as Cesar Anding, Ruben Alaza and a certain Edmund, according to Uy.
The three slain rebels were part of a huge group that was about to celebrate the 52nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Mt. Lumuton, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
Uy said the military’s air and ground assaults two days before the anniversary celebration disrupted the gathering.
Col. Eduardo Gubat, 603rd Infantry Brigade chief, said clearing operations were still ongoing in the borders of Kalamansig, Lebak and Palimbang.
The military earlier reported killing 10 suspected guerrillas during air and ground assault in Palimbang town on Dec. 25, Christmas Day, to thwart the CPP celebration.
