BALBALAN, Kalinga – A ranking leader of the New Peoples Army (NPA) operating in Kalinga died while a government trooper was injured during a 30minuute running gun battle between the communist rebels and soldiers at Sitio Ibong, Balbalasang, here, Saturday afternoon.
Senior Superintendent Brent Majaco, provincial director of the Kalinga Provincial Police Office, identified the slain NPA Leader as Rudy Miguel alias Marcial or Dick or, listed No. 9 of PSRTG 1st quarter of 2017 under Marcial Daggay command, KLG Baggas while he named the injured government trooper as PFC Ruben Managuelod, 27, a member of the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Kalinga.
While conducting combat operations in the area in response to a call from concerned citizens on the presence of armed men in the place, the government forces belonging to the 501st Inftry Brigade encountered still undetermined number of communist rebels with an unknown team leader in the area that lasted for over half an hour.
During the mapping up operations by the military, the body of the slain NPA rebel was recovered while the wounded soldier was transported to the nearest medical facility by his colleagues.
Also recovered rom the encounter site were one M-16 Armalite rifle, two magazines and 46 cartridges.
Majaco revealed the cadaver of the slain NPA rebel was brought home by his relative to sitio Bonnong, Wagud, Pinkpuk, Kalinga for him to be given the necessary wake and burial.
Government forces are conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels who fled towards the southeast direction.
By Dexter A. See
