FOUR New People’s Army (NPA) leaders were killed in a firefight with government troops in Talakag town in Bukidnon on Wednesday, the military reported yesterday.
One of the fatalities, identified as Carlisio Sumalinog, alias Bloom, Wong and Kulay, was the commanding officer of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Operations Command, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 4, and concurrent vice commanding officer of Sub-Regional Operations Command of SRC 5.
Also slain was Jovilito Pontillas, alias Zelong, Jovy, and Tiga, commanding officer of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG), Company Wei of SRC4 and concurrent Commanding officer of Platun Ipad, SRC 5.
The two others were Gary Juliana, alias Tata, and Tungol, and Jelly Sugnot, alias Kian, LJ, and Yanyan.
Juliana was the commanding officer of Platun Uno, Guerilla Front 68B, SRC 4 and concurrent Squad Leader of Squad Uno, Platun Ipad, SRC 5, while Sugnot was the medical and finance officer of SRSDG Company Wei, SRC 4, and concurrent Medical Officer of Platun Ipad, SRC 5.
AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said soldiers from the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and policemen clashed with about 30 rebels in Barangay Tikalaan in Talakag town after concerned citizens reported the presence of insurgents.
Troops recovered at the encounter site 16 high-powered firearms — seven M16 rifles, an M203 grenade rifle, two R4 Carbines, an M653 rifle, three M1 Garand rifles, an AK47 rifle, and an M14 rifle.
