Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1 soldier killed in gun battles By Ben O. Tesiorna
A GOVERNMENT soldier was killed while several rebels were believed wounded or killed in three gun battles initiated by the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the Davao region last week.
On January 24, rebels under Ka Mags of the Guerilla Front 3 encountered soldiers of the Philippine Army's Task Force Raptor in Barangay San Isidro, Tagum City. The encounter caused the evacuation of several residents in the area.
The military claimed to have wounded and killed several rebels but has not presented any bodies. Officials say that the rebels brought with them the bodies of their fallen comrades.
Also on that day, elements of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion and civilian volunteers led by Datu Loreto raided a suspected enemy arms cache at the vicinity of Barangay Kiplas in Kitaotao, Bukidnon just near the boundary of Marilog in Davao City.
The troop recovered one Garand rifle, one carbine, and a live ammunition. The firearms were allegedly hidden by elements of the Guerilla Front 53.
On January 27, around 30 rebels from the Front Committee 20 also harassed a military detachment in Barangay Carmen, Boston, Davao Oriental. A firefight that lasted almost 35 minutes ensued after which the rebels withdrew towards the southwest direction along Sitio Butigan in Barangay San Jose.
Private First Class Tito Miranda was killed as a result of the encounter. A platoon of the Special Action Force immediately conducted hot pursuit operation against the rebel raiders.
