NPA rebel slain in Ifugao clashes

June 1, 2022 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (June 1, 2022)—Following a tip-off from villagers,  government troops from the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion clashed  with communist rebels at Sitio Binangyuyaw, Brgy. Namal, Asipulo, Ifugao Sunday killing a still unidentified rebel.
This came after the Vice commander of the “Weakened Guerrilla Front – Abra-Mt.Province-Ilocos Sur (WGF AMPIS)”  Avelino Cruz alias “Ka Junel” was captured last week and brought to the hospital after a firefight in that same village.
Major General Andrew Costelo,  commander ofnthe 7th Infantry said troopers also seized an M16A2 rifle  from the slain rebel.
Costelo said the series of successes in the past days against the communist rebels “would have a great impact to peace, security and development in Ifugao province.”  He thanked the community for their cooperation The cooperation of the community on their operations against rebels holed up in the area.
“We will be relentless in our Focused Military Operations in Mt. Province and its nearby provinces to clear the area from the threats brought by the terrorist group.
Asahan ninyong patuloy ang aming gagawing mga combat operations upang matuntun ang kinaroroonan ng mga ito,” Mortela vowed.
Starting May 26, government troopers had been engaging communisy rebels in skirmishes in Asipulo, Ifugao which had reportedly sent some villagers to flee from the encounter sites for safety.
Artemio A. Dumlao