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Friday, April 28, 2006
Rebel not behind slay of militiaman
THE New People's Army (NPA) was not behind the slaying of a militiaman in a remote village in Tampakan, South Cotabato, according to top officials of a mining company that is conducting drilling operations in the area.
Contrary to earlier reports, Wilfredo Pallera, 43, a member of the Citizen's Armed Forces Geographical Unit who was slain last Sunday, was reportedly a victim of a personal grudge as evidenced by bullet fragments recovered from his body.
Sagittarius Mines Inc. project coordinator Dr. Rolando Gloria said Pallera died of gunshot wounds inflicted from a 12-gauge shotgun, which ruled out the possibility of NPA involvement.
Colonel Carlos Quita, commander of the Army's 27th Infantry Battalion, earlier said the NPA rebels strafed their detachment at the boundary of barangays Tablu and Danlag in Tampakan at around 6:00 a.m. April 16 and immediately withdrew towards the mountainous portion of the area.
"It was plain harassment. They were situated quite far away from the detachment and just fired some shots. Unfortunately, they hit one of my men," Quita told reporters.
The victim, who hails from Barangay Concepcion in Koronadal City, died before reaching a hospital in Tampakan.
Citing a report, Quita said, the harassment was carried out by three to five NPA rebels.
The 27th IB earlier strengthened their presence in Tampakan and the neighboring Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat following the reported massing up of NPA rebels in the area.
He said they confirmed reports that the rebels have stepped up their recruitment and collection of revolutionary from local residents.
The 27th IB earlier recovered improvised anti-tank landmines in sitio Laguna, Barangay Lasak in Columbio and barangay Danlag in Tampakan. (With reports from Allen V. Estabillo)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(April 24, 2006 issue)
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