Troops kill NPA rebel in clash in South RP

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 6, 2010) – Government soldiers killed a communist rebel in a firefight Saturday in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Captain Emanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said the fighting erupted in the village called New Visayas in Davao Oriental’s Lupon town.

He said troops rushed to the village after receiving reports that New People’s Army rebels were in the area.

“Operating troops of the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion responded to information of residents regarding the presence of armed men in their place which resulted to an early morning gun battle,” the spokesman said, adding, troops also recovered two automatic rifles and a shotgun left behind by rebels.

Garcia said villages have reported the presence of rebels in the area. “Residents said they were alarmed by the consolidation of NPA since two days ago and recalled that this only happens during plenums or when high ranking NPA or a leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines comes in their place,” he said.

He said Major General Carlos Holganza, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, praised residents who tipped off the military about the presence of gunmen in the village.

“We are moved by the show of support and concern of our citizens in Davao Oriental in curbing criminality and terrorism in their place. While we are on a positive note, we grieve over the death of another Filipino who was lured, deceived and exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front into joining an organization known for its notoriety in killing innocent people and sabotaging our economy with their big time extortion activity,” Holganza said.

The NPA is fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Geo Solmerano contributed to this report)