TWO New People’s Army (NPA) rebels died in a clash with Albay policemen in front of a police installation in Daraga, Albay last Tuesday afternoon.
Policemen from the Bascaran Police Assistance Center (BPAC) said they were manning traffic in front of the BPAC in Barangay Bascaran at around 4:50 p.m. when they were fired upon by the rebels.
The lawmen returned fire, leading to the death of two of the insurgents who were identified as Rizaldy Perdigon, alias Sandro and Allan Balde Leron, alias Jason.
Pursuit operations are ongoing against the other rebels who managed to escape.
Recovered at the scene were an M16 rifle, two caliber 45 pistols, five magazines, assorted ammunition and the motorcycle the rebels used in mounting the attack.
In a statement, the Bicol regional police office said the rebel attack “unequivocally showcase their complete disregard for the well-being and safety of innocent civilians residing in the area.
“These actions blatantly underscore their self-serving objectives, which prioritizes their own agenda over the lives and security of the local population,” it said.
Bicol region police director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obnique commended the policemen who “bravely confronted the rebels.”
Meanwhile, eight Army soldiers in Panay Island were conferred the Gold Cross Medal, the third highest military decoration in combat, for recent feats in the fight against the NPA.
Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the AFP Visayas Command, awarded the medals last Tuesday during a visit to the headquarters of the Army’s 301st Brigade in Iloilo.
The awardees are assigned with the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company, said Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
The Gold Cross Medal is the third-highest combat medal. The highest is the Medal of Valor, followed by the Distinguished Conduct Star.
Javines said 79 other soldiers were given the Silver Cross Medal. The 79 are assigned with the 301st Brigade, 61st, 82 and 12th infantry battalions.
Of the 87 who received the Gold Cross and Silver Cross medals, 21 are officers and 66 are enlisted personnel.
“These soldiers played a significant role in a series of encounters in Panay over the past quarters and months, leading to the neutralization of key CTG (communist terrorist group) personalities and seizure of various firearms in Panay Island,” said Javines.
One of the rebels neutralized was Rebecca Alfaro, alias Jing, the secretary of the Southern Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Panay. Alfaro and two of her men died in a clash with soldiers in Leon, Iloilo last September 29.
Earlier last Tuesday, Arevalo visited the headquarters of the 3rd ID in Capiz, said Javines.
During the visit, Arevalo presented the Gawad sa Kaunlaran award to 3rd ID commander Maj. Gen. Marion Sison and other key officers of the division and troops from the 61st Infantry Battalion “for their meritorious and invaluable contributions to the AFP’s socio-economic and other non-combatant activities.”
Sison said medals and awards given by Arevalo “is a testament to our efforts and dedication to end the decades-long insurgency and to achieve genuine peace and progress in this part of the country.
“May this recognition motivate everyone to give their best effort in all that we do to provide the best possible service to the people,” said Sison.
Arevalo said the Visayas Command is “pleased with the successes” of the 3rd ID. He said the division had “hundreds of encounters” throughout the Visayas since January with only two casualties.
“I know 3rd ID is doing well and will do its best in the coming days to dismantle the remaining guerilla fronts of the CTG and further weaken the enemy,” said Arevalo.
