‘Rebel’ slain in Oriental Mindoro clashes

LUCENA CITY –– One alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed during a series of encounters with government forces in Victoria town in Oriental Mindoro province Wednesday and Thursday.

Capt. Patrick Jay Retumban, public affairs chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal, said in a report that the first encounter between communist guerrillas and soldiers from the Army’s 76th Infantry Battalion, under Lt. Col. Mario Lito Retirva assisted by local policemen, happened in Barangay Loyal early Wednesday.

Afterward, the more than 30 Maoist-inspired guerrillas retreated.

The armed protagonists clashed again in Sitio (sub-village) Pamuwisan also in the same village around 12 noon.

The troops found the body of the alleged NPA rebel, Mervin Malucon alias “Ka Wally,” after the fighting.

The soldiers and policemen also recovered one M14 rifle with 12 magazines, assorted ammunition, improvised explosive devices, six mobile phones, and rebel documents.

Around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, the government forces and NPA rebels clashed anew in one part of the village.

The troops recovered one M16 rifle left behind by the rebels.

Hot pursuit operation was ongoing as of posting time, Retumban said.