3 NPA rebels captured in Quezon encounter

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Three communist rebels were captured after a clash with Army soldiers in Quezon province Wednesday, February 22, a military official said.

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Maquiling, the Commander of the 85th Infantry Battalion based in Gumaca town, said that a 9-man squad of his unit encountered more or less 10 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Brgy. Canda, Ilaya, Lopez town at around 12:15 p.m.

“I sent my soldiers to the area based on a report by concerned citizens regarding the presence of armed men who allegedly extorted money from the people in the area,” he said.

Maquiling also said, "the rebels fired the first shots when my soldiers approached their location", triggering the clash between the two groups.

The rebels fled after a 5-minute firefight, leaving behind three of their comrades who were cornered by the soldiers.

Three high-powered firearms including two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, claymore mines, and the rebels’ personal belongings were confiscated by the soldiers.

The captured rebels have not given their true identities and their rights were respected, following the rule of law.

They are now undergoing custodial debriefing at the 85IB headquarters.

Following the legal procedures, Maquiling had coordinated the the local authorities for the identification and the disposition of the captive NPA rebels.

 "I have made coordinations with the local PNP and the LGU officials of Catanauan and Lopez towns about the disposition of the captured rebels who are residents of the said place," added Maquiling.

No one was hurt among the soldiers who have continued to pursue the remnants of the armed groups.

 

Maquiling also revealed that IPSP Bayanihan is working in his AOR as indicated by the cooperation extended by the local folks in the area.

“There is a growing number of civilian tipsters that provide information to government troops on the presence of NPA rebels in their localities. I urge the other residents to emulate the people in these areas by providing us with timely and accurate information so that the military can thwart any attempts of the NPAs to disturb  the peace,” he concluded.