4 rebs slain in Masbate clash

LEGAZPI CITY—At least four suspected communist rebels were killed in a 20-minute firefight with government troops in Aroroy town in Masbate province on Monday, military reports said.

Maj. Virgilio Perez, spokesperson of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said a group of soldiers from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion (IB), led by 1Lt. April John del Rosario, was patrolling the village of Pangle at 6:30 a.m. when they clashed with about 20 rebels.

Perez said soldiers recovered two M16 and two M14 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher and antigovernment documents from the clash site.

Clashes between communist rebels and Army soldiers broke out in different parts of the country after President Duterte withdrew the government’s unilateral ceasefire and stopped the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines on Feb. 4.

In Sorsogon province, a top suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leader was arrested by a team of policemen and soldiers in the capital Sorsogon City on Sunday.

Supt. Nonito Furio Marquez, community relations and public information officer of the Sorsogon police, said the suspect, Emmanuel Alindogan, 53, is secretary and finance officer of “Larangan 1” of the NPA unit operating in Sorsogon City and in the towns of Barcelona, Casiguran, Gubat and Prieto Diaz.

Marquez said Judge Victor Gelia of the Regional Trial Court Branch 52 in Sorsogon City issued an arrest warrant against Alindogan, also known as Crispulo Alindogan, for attempted murder.

In Ifugao province, Army soldiers on Monday overran an NPA camp in a remote village in Asipulo town following a firefight with communist rebels on Sunday night, the military said.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, civil military officer of the Army’s 54th IB, said government troops recovered three laptop computers, a power generator set, bullets for AK47 and M16 rifles, grenades, explosive devices and personal belongings from the camp in Barangay Namal in Asipulo.

The soldiers occupied the camp hours after engaging members of the NPA’s Nona del Rosario Command at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The firefight lasted for about an hour before the rebels retreated toward Mount Capan.

Sgt. Virgilio Miguel was slightly wounded during the firefight, Somera said.

Lt. Col. Nicolas Quemado, Jr., 54th IB commander, said a number of rebels were hurt but this could not be immediately confirmed.

“We are appealing to the rebels to help us help their wounded comrades. They can leave their wounded members in the community for them to be evacuated by helicopters (for medical treatment),” he said. —REPORTS FROM MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN, MAR S. ARGUELLES AND MELVIN GASCON