Alleged NPA leader in Quezon slain in clash

LUCENA CITY –– An alleged leader of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Quezon province was killed, and an Army soldier was injured in an encounter in Buenavista town early on Friday.

Captain Jayrald Ternio, head of the public affairs office of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said in a report that Ronnel Batarlo, alias “Ka Marwin,” who allegedly headed the rebel unit involved in the firefight, was killed at the height of the clash with government forces in Sitio (sub-village), Pung-uy in Barangay Masaya of the town around 4 a.m.

Soldiers recovered an M16 rifle and an M203 grenade launcher at the encounter site left by the escaping rebels.

The soldier who suffered an injury during the encounter was in stable condition and recuperating in an undisclosed hospital, the report said.

According to Ternio, Batarlo’s NPA unit was the same group that clashed with the combined police and Army team in Barangay Bulo in neighboring Mulanay town on Feb. 2.

In that encounter, the communist guerrillas, who escaped, left behind three M16 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, AK47 rifles, ammunition, and other personal belongings.

The same group of rebels were also responsible for the ambush that injured two policemen in Barangay San Juan in San Narciso town in February last year, Ternio said.

The government forces in the Bondoc Peninsula have been placed on high alert in support of the ongoing pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.

A joint police and military checkpoints have also been established in all possible exit points in the area.

Major General Greg Almerol, 2nd ID commander, renewed his call for the remaining NPA rebels to surrender.

“We encourage the rest to surrender and return to the fold of the law before it’s too late,” he said in a statement.

He said the recent clashes would not happen if the communist insurgents heeded the government’s call for peace and give themselves “a chance to live away from the horrors of terrorism.”

LZB