6 NPA rebels, soldier killed in Batangas firefight

SIX New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and a government soldier died and three other soldiers were injured in a firefight in Balayan town in Batangas yesterday Sunday morning
Army soldiers, augmented by Navy and Air Force personnel, launched a combat operation in Barangay Malalay after receiving information that insurgents were planning a meeting in the area.

The firefight broke out at around 2 a.m. and lasted until around 6 a.m., according to 2nd Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Hector Estolas.

The rebels withdrew, leaving behind the remains of their six comrades. Estolas said pursuit operations are ongoing as of yesterday afternoon.

Soldiers recovered at the encounter site, a temporary encampment of the rebels, two M16 rifles, a M653 rifle, a shotgun, and rebel documents.

The military withheld the name of the slain soldier, an enlisted man from the Army’s 59th Infantry Battalion, pending the notification of his family.

“Based on the report we got from our informants, they (rebels) were going to have a meeting there. We learned about it (meeting) so we conducted the operation,” said Estolas.

“They are having a meeting and our guess is it’s related to their (Communist Party of the Philippines) anniversary on December 26,” said Estolas.

He said the meeting might also be related to the commemoration of the first anniversary of the death of communist party founder Jose Maria Sison, who died in the Netherlands on December 16 after a two-week confinement at a hospital.

The province of Batangas has been declared insurgency-free in 2021, said Estolas.

“However, they (rebels) have been exerting efforts to recover it (as bailiwick),” said Estolas.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr expressed his condolences to the family of the slain soldier and cited the soldiers for their bravery and heroism in defending the country from threats.

“We are ensuring that our wounded soldiers will receive the best medical care, and provide all the necessary assistance to the family of our slain soldier during this difficult time,” said Teodoro.

Teodoro said the military would be vigilant and unrelenting in its efforts in the fight against the insurgents.