Army downs 4 NPA rebels in Surigao del Sur
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 10:15:29 +0000
Army troopers killed four suspected communist rebels in a fierce clash in Carmen, Surigao del Sur, military officials said yesterday.
Col. Maurito Licudine, commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade, said one of those killed turned out to be an 18-year old man who left his family last year to join the New People’s Army (NPA).
He identified him as Dylan Ghem Jimenez who was found at the clash site woundes by Army troopers scouring the clash site in Barangay Cancavan on Sunday.
“He was given first aid treatment to preserve his life after troops who scoured and cleared the area found him still alive and even revealed his false identity,” said Licudine. “He was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead,” he added.
Capt. Francisco Garello Jr., spokesman of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, said three more cadavers of the NPA were found at the clash site.
He said the clash erupted when soldiers chanced upon more or less 10 communist rebels while conducting combat operations.
Garello said the death of Jimenez is a proof of NPA recruitment on minors. He said Jimenez joined the NPA while he was still 17 years old.
Aside from the bodies, soldiers also confiscated three AK47, two M16 rifles, two magazines for M16, three cellular phones and various documents.
The bodies of the four rebels were taken to the Mata Funeral Services i Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. (Aaron Recuenco)