Suspected NPA amazon killed

A SUSPECTED New People's Army (NPA) medical officer of the rebel group in southern Negros was killed in an encounter with government troops at 5:30 a.m. last Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

Colonel Oscar Lactao, 303rd Brigade commander, identified the slain NPA amazon as Julia Pacheco Tabat, 25, who is said to be the Front Medical Officer of the South Western Front of the NPA.

It was learned that the troops from the Army's 47th Infantry Battalion were conducting community security patrol to check on the reported presence of rebels allegedly responsible in recruiting minors when they were fired upon by the rebels.

After 10 minutes of firefight, the NPA rebels withdrew, leaving behind their casualty, the 47th IB report said.

The NPA fatality was later identified by her sister Cathy Tabat as Julia Pacheco Tabat with an alias Gab or Alex, a medical officer in the underground movement.

Tabao has existing warrant of arrest orders for attempted murder on Criminal Case (CC) number 05101675, frustrated murder on CC number 05101678, and frustrated murder on CC number 05101677, all of Ilog-Candoni Municipal Trial Court.

“This unit is exerting efforts to locate reported other wounded NPA rebels for possible medical assistance. Our medical teams are on standby should we received emergency assistance call from them,” Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Sosmeña, Commanding Officer of the Army's 47IB, said.

Lactao said the operating troops of the 47th Infantry Battalion encountered the group at the outskirts of Barangay East, Candoni town.

The operating troops also recovered documents, backpack and other items, he added. (Teresa D. Ellera)