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Friday, May 20, 2005
Slain rebel not an Ateneo student
By Aurea A. Gerundio
* University registrar believes ID card found in slain rebel's possession fake
* 2 more killed in gun battle, but remain unidentified as of press time
THE 22-year-old female, one of the three suspected rebels slain in a clash between government troops and New People's Army (Army) members in Bukidnon Saturday, was not a student of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU).
ADDU registrar Rene Villarente denied military reports that one of the three slain rebels, identified as Jane Quintos of San Fernando in Bukidnon, was an Ateneo student based on a school ID card found in her possession.
"In Manila, one can even produce any ID card in Recto. Dito sa Davao meron din. It is possible na hindi totoo 'yong ID. Our records also show that she was not an Ateneo student," Villarente said.
Based on computer records shown by Marie Lanaban, secretary at the Registrar's Office, there was only one Quintos listed since 1996. Her name is Maria Bettina.
Earlier reports showed Major Jose Maria Cuerpo II, chief of the military's 5th Civil Relations Group (CRG), confirmed that based on the information they gathered, Quintos was a student of the ADDU.
Aside from Quintos, two more were killed in the gun battle but remain unidentified as of press time.
Cuerpo said they were also NPA supporters.
"It is a very disheartening news to the parents of the students, and we pour our sympathies, but we also urge their active participation to guide and warn their children from being used by the deceitful NPA terrorists. Let's join our hands and together will stop them (NPA) before another son or daughter dies," Cuerpo said.
He said they received reports that more or less 20 students were among the rebels involved in the encounter.
Lieutenant Colonel Alan Rojo, chief of the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Sitio Matanaw, Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando Bukidnon, said the 26th IB's Charlie Company led by Lieutenant Jose Gilbuela chanced upon more or less 80 heavily armed rebels belonging to the NPA's Front Committee 52 of Pulang Bagani Command 1 led by Leonardo Pitao alias Kumander Parago in Sitio Gopako, Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
Rojo said the rebels ran out of ammunition during the two-hour firefight prompting them to withdraw.
Army troops are still conducting hot pursuit operation against the rebels.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 20, 2005 issue)
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