SPOILS OF WAR. The military presents the rifles, landmine, and a communist flag of the two slain communist guerrillas. Photo by Eldie S. Aguirre
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By Eldie S. Aguirre
Digos City Bureau Chief

DIGOS City — The New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who were slain during an encounter with government troopers on Monday were identified yesterday.

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A village official in Kiblawan identified Wangan Anti as one of the slain rebels. Anti is a resident of Barangay Bololsalo in Kiblawan. His mother was already informed about the death of her son.

Arjenil Catan is a resident of New Baguio, Makilala town, North Cotabato was positively identified by his mother, Estrellita Catan who went to the funeral home in Bansalan after receiving information from his neighbors.

“My son left home two years ago to look for a job in Bansalan town. After that we (had) no knowledge of his whereabouts. I am very surprised he joined the rebels,” the mother said in the vernacular.

The bodies of Anti and Katam were recovered by government forces after a broad daylight encounter with NPAs in Sitio Datal Pitak, Barangay Colonsabak, Matanao, Davao del Sur on May 29.

Lt. Col. Marion Angcao, commanding officer of the 73rd Infantry Battalion said it was part of a series of armed encounter in the hinterlands of Davao del Sur after the Communist Party of the Philippines ordered an intensified offensive against government forces.

The firefight lasted for 40 minutes that resulted to the death of two rebels.

A soldier belonging to the 39th Infantry Battalion, a certain Cpl Lovinder John L Abantes, was hurt during the firefight. He was airlifted to Camp Panacan in Davao City for treatment.

Angcao said they recovered one M14 rifle, and an M4 bushmaster rifle at the scene of the encounter.

“We will not hesitate to use our forces against armed groups that will spoil the peace and order situation in our area of responsibility,” Angcao said.

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