13 rebel guns captured, one NPA fighter killed, 3 others surrender to 3rd Infantry Division units

CPP NPA. Photo courtesy of HaloFanon Wikia

MANILA — The Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division said on Tuesday that it captured 13 rebel firearms, killed one New People’s Army (NPA) fighter and caused three others to surrender during a series of operations which ended Monday morning.

Troops of the 11th Infantry Battalion figured in an encounter with the NPA rebels at Sitio Mainit, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental at 6:15 a.m. Monday.

Lt. Col. Paulito Idul, unit commander, said that his troops were conducting security operations in the locality when they were fired upon by more or less 20 lawless armed elements believed to be members of the Central Negros Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros (CNF, KR-N) of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

He added that his men quickly returned fire and in the course of a three-hour long battle, a rebel was killed while his companions retreated into different directions

Idul identified the slain NPA as a certain Jerry Dorillo, a member of the Sandatahang Platoon Pampropaganda 1 (SPP1) of CNF, KR-Negros.

Recovered in the encounter area were eight firearms consisting of one improvised M-14 single shot rifle, four shotguns, two .357 caliber revolver and one .45 caliber pistol along with several rounds of ammunition.

It was also reported that nine suspected NPA rebels were captured during the encounter.

After some inquiry, two of them were released and turned over to the local officials of Santol.

In cooperation with the barangay officials of Santol headed by chairman Eugene Ogatis, the seven other suspected rebels were turned over together with the assorted firearms and ammunition to Binalbagan Municipal Police Station for medical check-up, investigation and proper disposition.

In observance of human rights and the rule of law, the suspected rebels were treated humanely and apprised of their constitutional rights.

They were released by Binalbagan PNP to the barangay chairman of Santol after the investigation and custodial debriefing.

Meanwhile, three Yunit Militiamen in Binalbagan surrendered recently to the Philippine Army and traded five firearms in the name of peace.

Last July 9, a certain “Johnny” and “TimTim” turned themselves over to the personnel of 11th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Karanawan, Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

“TimTim” voluntarily turned over an M-2 carbine, one 12-gauge shotgun and one .38 caliber revolver along with several live ammunition.

On July 10, a certain “Greg” of the same barangay in Binalbagan also voluntarily turned over himself to the Philippine Army together with one .357 caliber revolver and one .38 caliber revolver, all fully loaded with live ammunition.