KILLING OF 6 NPAs, ARMY LT. A TRIUMPH OF PEOPLE SUPPORT
By Edith B. Colmo

The continued full support by the civilian populace to the government’s anti-insurgency campaign in the hinterland barangays of Cadiz City, has yielded positive results after the armed encounter between government troops and the NPA rebels at midday last Sunday, according to Col. Maximo Caro, commanding officer, 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army.

The military told media practitioners during a press-con yesterday that the hour-long firefight at Sitio Aluyan, Brgy. Caduhaan, Cadiz City has resulted to the death of 6 NPA rebels including a 16-year-old amazon, belonging to Platoon 1, Larangan North Negros, KR-N led by alias Ka Roman, and the recovery of three high powered firearms, namely, an M16, M14, and M653, one ICOM radio, 12 rounds of M203 ammunitions, and 2 magazines of M14 ammunitions.

As of press time, Lt. Col. Albert Desoyo, battalion commander, 62IB said, only two bodies were identified by their families at the funeral homes in Cadiz City.

They were Jovannni Roma-no, of Hda. Rosa, Brgy. San Pablo, Manapla, Negros Occidental, who was identified by Brgy. Capt. Benjie Cabayao of the said barangay; and Rotchell Condulon y Hilado, 16, of Sitio Bucabog, Washington, Escalante City, identified by her mother, Nimfa Hilado.

According to 1Lt Ruben Ayroso, CMO officer, 62nd IB, the cadavers of the slain rebels were turned over by the Army to the police station of Cadiz City.

Also killed in action was 1Lt Archie Polenzo, company commander of Baro Company, 62IB.

The site of encounter was an open space where only cogon served as cover of the rebels, so they were spotted by the patrolling soldiers which ignited the firefight sslasting for about an hour.

The army condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the deceiving operations of the NPAs by luring the innocent youths to join the armed groups and giving them false promises and hope about the true objectives of the armed struggle.

Col. Caro said, they are not happy that their fellow Filipinos are being killed in the process of establishing peace and development in the countrysides, like what happened in this particular encounter.

The Army has reiterated its mandated task as legitimate protector of the people who will always uphold the rule of law and strictly adhere and respect individual human rights in the performance of their mandated tasks and duties at all times.

The government, he said, is sincere in its efforts to achieve genuine reconciliation for all those who want to return to the mainstream of society and live peaceful and productive lives.

He reiterated their commitment to the peace and development efforts of the government, claiming that prosperity can only be achieved if their is genuine and lasting peace, Caro stressed.*