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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Rebels claim victory over army in Paquibato
COMMUNIST New People's Army (NPA) guerillas claimed they had the upper hand in the latest gun battle with government troopers in Paquibato district last April 6.
In a statement from the NPA's 1st Pulang Bagani commander Leonardo Pitao, alias Ka Parago, he said that contrary to the claims of the military, the 5th Scout Rangers Company suffered casualties while the rebels had none in their latest encounter in Sitio Napaliko, Barangay Tapak.
"The NPA did not suffer any casualties. The enemy's propaganda that the Red fighters suffered casualties is nothing but a product of a desperate mind to hide a shameful defeat," Parago said.
The rebel leader claimed that the Scout Rangers "were skillfully outmaneuvered by the Red fighters in the battlefield."
"The same so-called elite group grew desperate and immediately called for reinforcement from the 73rd IB, which sent in MG520 attack helicopters that indiscriminately bombed the mountainous terrain," Parago said.
He said such act "had shown utter lack of respect for the civilian populace in Paquibato district."
Two Army soldiers were killed while two others were wounded in the April 6 clash.
The military claimed that eight members of the NPA were killed, but did not recover a single body.
Fourth Infantry Division spokesman Francisco Simbajon said Army troops stumbled on big rebel camp, under Parago in Tapak, Paquibato triggering a firefight that lasted more than two hours.
Killed were Sergeant Lloyd del Rosario and Corporal Crisanto C. Tirador of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Yogyog.
The wounded were identified as Corporal Efren Sacapani Jr. and Private First Class Jefito Cadenas.
Simbajon said villagers saw the rebels dragging eight to 10 bodies as they withdrew from the clash site, but were not sure if they were dead or critically wounded.
"We did not recover any body, but soldiers saw bloodstains in the place where the rebels were positioned and along the route of the escape," Simbajon said.
He said assorted ammunition, subversive documents, and personal belongings of the guerrillas were retrieved from the camp. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 18, 2006 issue)
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