ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 09 Apr) The New People's Army (NPA) on Sunday denied military reports that 10 communist rebels were killed in fierce clashes with security forces in Davao City in the southern Philippines.
Leonardo Pitao, who is also known as Ka Parago, leader of the NPA's 1st Pulang Bagani Company-Merardo Arce Command, said no rebels were killed in Thursday fighting in Paquibato district in the outskirts of Davao City.
He said two soldiers, from the Scout Ranger, were killed and two others wounded in the clashes.
"The AFP’s so-called elite forces suffered defeat; military atrocities in Paquibato meant to serve capitalist interests. Contrary to the arrogant posturing and lies being spread by the fascist armed forces related to Thursday’s Paquibato encounter, it is the 5th Scout Rangers Company that suffered casualties against the New People’s Army (NPA)," Pitao said in a statement dated April 8.
"The NPA did not suffer any casualties. The fascist enemy’s propaganda that the Red fighters suffered casualties is nothing but a product of a desperate mind, to hide a shameful defeat. Col. Francisco Simbajon of the 4th Infantry Division was spewing arrogant talk and needs a reality check," he said.
He also accused the military's Task Force Davao commander Col. Eduardo del Rosario of ignoring human rights of civilians in the area.
"The military has no other intention in Paquibato but to commit grave and serious violations of human rights, killing (tribal) Lumads and non-Lumads, in subservience to capitalist interests," Pitao said.
Simbajon, a regional army spokesman, insisted that 10 rebels were killed in the fighting. "We don't lie, you ask the civilians in the area and they will tell you that there were not only ten, but a sizeable number of enemy casualties," he said.
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