By AARON RECUENCO * GLAZYL MASCULINO
Soldiers killed five suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a fierce clash in Mabinay town of Negros Oriental early Thursday morning.
Lt. Col. Ramir Redosendo, commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion, said the firefight stemmed from a tip-off from local resident of Barangay Luyang about the presence of a group of armed men occupying two houses in Sitio Talingting.
The armed men were reportedly spotted with a wanted personality who matched with the one in the order of battle of the military.
Several soldiers were immediately sent to the area at midnight to serve the arrest warrant. Around 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, the clash erupted.
“After the exchange of heavy firefight for almost 30 minutes, the troops were able to outmaneuver the enemies and successfully seized their position,” said Redosendo.
One of the dead rebels was initially identified as alias Sayas Ribilista who is the subject of the warrant.
During the clearing operation, Redosendo said the bodies of five communist rebels were recovered along with three M16 rifles, a AK47 with a defaced serial number, a .45-caliber pistol with a defaced serial number, three AK47 magazines, four rifle grenades, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), assorted magazines and ammunition.
“Several voluminous subversive documents with high intelligence value were also confiscated,” said Redosendo.
According to Capt. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), the government troops were armed with a warrant issued by Judge Rosario Carriaga of Bais City, against Isaias Rabilista Sr., for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law.
Pancito said Rabilista was also tagged in the ambush-slay of four policemen in Barangay Mabato, Ayungon town, Negros Oriental last year.
