3 alleged NPA killed in Iloilo clash –AFP

Three alleged members of the New People’s Army were killed in a recent encounter with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at San Joaquin, Iloilo.

According to an interview with 301st Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Michael Samson, the operation was conducted after the military received reports about a supposed temporary NPA camp with over 20 members.

“Ang reports naman [ay] from the local residents and informants na hindi naman welcome ang presence nila dun sa Barangay Torocadan sa San Joaquin, so nireport ang presence nila,” Samson said.

(The reports [are] from the local residents and informants that their presence was not welcomed in Barangay Torocadan in San Joaquin, so they reported it.)

The encounter led to the killing of three alleged rebels, along with the confiscation of five firearms and nine backpacks.

Authorities have launched a hot pursuit operation against the individuals who escaped.

“Sa kakaiwas nila, then they consolidated, maybe na-neutralize yung secretary. Maybe nagme-meeting or whatever purpose ng kanilang meeting…Ano man ang plan, na-preempt lang natin. Baka may atrocities silang pinaplano so may consolidation, inunahan na natin,” he added.

(In their efforts to avoid us, then they consolidated, maybe the secretary was neutralized. Maybe they’re meeting …Whatever their plans are, we just preempted them. Perhaps there were atrocities being planned, so we acted first.)

Samson added that the troops shot indirect artillery fires before directly hitting the camp with an assault.

“Accurate naman ang [attack]. May mga surveillance planes na nagsu-support for accuracy ng ating mga fires,” he said.

(Our [attacks] are accurate. We had surveillance planes that support the accuracy of our shots.)

No AFP members were wounded during the confrontation.

Intensified operations are being conducted to dismantle two remaining guerilla fronts, the AFP said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News