Four NPA Rebels Lay Dead in Quezon Clash

LOPEZ, Quezon- Four NPA rebels perished in a clash with Army soldiers in a hinterland village here at noon today.

Lt Col Oliver Maquiling, the Commanding Officer of the 85th Infantry Battalion, said that a team of his soldiers led by 1st Lt Frederick dela Torre clashed with at least 6 NPA rebels who forcibly entered the house of a civilian resident named Zenaida Guzo, in Penafrancia village here at 12:10nn.

"The rebels fired their guns when my soldiers approached the house. The soldiers used their excellent marksmanship skills to engage the armed rebels who refused to surrender despite the demand from the soldiers who almost encircled the hut," he said.

Two rebels lay dead after the 10-minute clash while 2 of their severely wounded comrades were given first-aid treatment and were transported to a local hospital here. They were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians, bringing the bodycount to 4.

Maquiling belied the claims that civilians were killed in the clash.

"Mrs Guzo revealed that her husband and son are both unscathed in the firefight. Both of them are cooperating with the police in the ongoing investigation," he said.

No one among the soldiers was hurt in the clash. They  seized two M16 Rifles and one M653 Rifle ("Baby Armalite) as well as subversive documents of high intelligence value from the dead rebels.

More soldiers were sent to pursue the two rebels who escpaped but leaving traces of blood along their route of withdrawal. The local police has sent SOCO operatives to conduct thorough investigation.

"I am saddened by the death of these rebels. We are continuously convincing the remnants of the armed rebel group to peacefully surrender and help attain lasting peace in our country," he said.

Less than two weeks ago, 3 rebels were also killed in another clash with the Army in San Francisco town.