ILOILO – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) reported that an undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed or wounded in a series of encounters in Tapaz, Capiz.
According to 3ID spokesperson Colonel Erwin Rommel Lamzon, information from the community indicated that members of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad of Komiteng Rehiyon–Panay suffered casualties, although exact numbers remain unconfirmed.
Lamzon said it is possible that the rebels buried their slain comrades in the area to conceal their losses.
“Aside from ongoing offensive operations, we are trying to locate the cadavers or wounded rebels in order to provide them with medical treatment,” Lamzon said.
The 3ID has deployed additional forces to pursue the insurgents, who were reportedly sighted in barangays Artuz, Agpalali, and Tabon — sites of at least four clashes since August 22.
The encounters have so far resulted in the death of Sergeant Jhon Ray Coopera, a native of Barangay Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City, and the wounding of two other soldiers.
Another firefight broke out at around 1 a.m. yesterday, August 27, in Barangay Roxas 8, Tapaz, between a blocking force from the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) and armed men.
As of press time, manhunt and offensive operations continued to track down the fleeing rebels./PN
