Three communist rebels killed in Catanduanes encounter

By Ronron
July 17, 2007

Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while a government soldier was wounded in an encounter dawn of Tuesday in Catanduanes province, a military spokesman said.

According to Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), the clash happened at around 5:30 am at Sitio Dakulang Bato, Barnagay Danicup, Virac town while the elements of the Philippine Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations.

Parayno said the government troops clashed with some 20 NPA rebels for 45 minutes.

He said that aside from killing three rebels, the government soldiers also injured two others. An M16 rifle was also recovered from the rebel side.

The wounded soldier was identified as Private First Class Rico Garduce and was brought to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in the town proper for medical treatment.

Parayno said hot pursuit was immediately conducted by the military against the fleeing rebels.

The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years.

Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 and attempts to revive it are being done recently, with the government asking the communists to declare a ceasefire so that negotiations can resume./DMS