2 rebs wounded in clash with Army
Troops from the Philippine Army clashed with the New People's Army in Igbaras Sunday, resulting to the wounding of two rebels.
As government troops were conducting a hot pursuit operation against the rebels led by Elver Buencuchillo aka Ka Jess, the Civil Relations Unit assured that it will be giving a safe conduct pass for the medical treatment of the wounded rebels.
Capt. Lowen Gil Marquez of the 32nd Civil Relations Unit said that Ka Bona, aka Felomenia Mamon, and a certain Ka Jim were wounded when their unit of about 15 rebels clashed with troops from the 47th Infantry Battalion at around 12:45 pm in Sitio Paka in Barangay Bagay Sunday. He said the wounded rebels are now hiding in Sitio Butuan, Brgy. Tigbanaba, also in Igbaras.
"We're appealing to the NPA commander to bring the wounded to an Iloilo hospital for medical attention and I am assuring him of a safe conduct pass," Marquez told The News Today yesterday.
Major General Jovenal Narcise, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, has dispatched combat helicopters to insert troops participating in the hot pursuit operation and to provide close air support, Marquez said.
He said that troops proceeded to the area in response to complaints that the rebels were extorting from the residents. Shortly before the encounter, the rebels were slaughtering a pig they extorted from the civilians.
Army troops recovered an M16 rifle, an improvised landmine, subversive documents, and a ledger. According to the ledger, small businessmen in Igbaras town were each paying P1,000 in so-called revolutionary taxes per month to the rebels, Marquez said.