A NEW People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed and four firearms were recovered by government troops after a firefight in Igbaras town in Iloilo on Saturday.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) identified the fatality as Domingo Costas, alias Evan and Ivan, a member of the NPA’s Squad 1 of Suyak Platoon.
3rd ID spokesman Lt. Col. Magno Mapalad said troops from the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion were conducting a security operation when they clashed with about 10 rebels in Sitio Gibasya in Barangay Tigbanaba. The rebels fled after a brief firefight, leaving behind Costas’ body.
Mapalad said troops recovered Costas’ body, along with two M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, a rifle grenade, bomb paraphernalia, food packs, medical supplies and rebel documents.
“Heavy bloodstains were found on the withdrawal route of the enemies,” said Mapalad, implying that some of the fleeing rebels were injured during the firefight.
No one was reported killed or injured on the military side.
3rd ID commander Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said Arevalo urged NPA rebels to surrender to avoid suffering the same fate, and to join government’s social integration program.
