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Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Shootout kills councilor, trader, rebel
By Lizanilla J. Amarga and Stephen Capillas
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- A municipal councilor, a trader, and a suspected member of the New People's Army (NPA) liquidation squad died during a firefight in a Misamis Oriental town late on Monday night, the police and military reported Tuesday.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and Balingasag Mayor Felix Borromeo ordered an immediate investigation into this latest clash with communist rebels.
Sources from the communist front revealed that Balingasag buy-and-sell rancher Saturnino "Udo" Tagalog was adjudged guilty of several "atrocities" against the revolutionary movement. The so-called atrocities stemmed from Tagalog's role as military asset. A friend, a municipal councilor who tried to avenge Tagalog's death by pursuing his killers, was also killed.
Eighth Infantry Battalion commanding officer Colonel Andrelino Colina condemned the murders committed by the communist rebels.
The killings ensued following the deaths of two communist NPA rebels also in Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental on October 26 and 27 and the death of one NPA amazon in the province during encounters between the military and the communist rebels.
The military and police are now hunting down suspected communist rebels identified to be members of the Special Partisan Unit (Sparu), a liquidation squad that is reportedly composed of sharp shooters and skilled trackers.
Police Regional Office Director Florante Baguio and Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Lyndel Desquitado identified Tagalog, Balingasag Municipal Councilor Eduardo "Neneng" Suasa, and suspected Sparu member Estrello Tangwayon as those killed in the firefight in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental late Monday night.
"PRO (Police Regional Office)-Northern Mindanao is now in full alert status," Baguio said.
Desquitado said his men at the Balingasag Police Station reported that three suspected members of the Sparu unit murdered Tagalog near Waterful, Balingasag.
Pressure
For this reason, Sausa, a former police officer who is known for his sharp shooting skills and a close friend of Tagalog, went in pursuit of the three Sparu members who were in the interior part of Talusan eastside.
"Mrs. Sausa informed us at about 5:30 p.m. on October 30 about the incident and how her husband was tracking down the three Sparu members," he said.
Desquitado said his men reported that Sausa, who wore a bulletproof vest and helmet, was able to hunt down the three Sparu members and a firefight ensued.
He said Sausa did his best to avenge his friend's death and rid Balingasag of the communist rebels but the municipal legislator was outnumbered.
The pressure of the bullets hitting Sausa's bulletproof vest and helmet caused him to fall to the ground. A Sparu member approached and shot Sausa at close range on the throat, Desquitado said.
Desquitado said the Sparu member even tried to take with him Sausa's firearm but police officers arrived on the scene and engaged the communist rebels in a shootout.
A 27-year-old Sparu member, a native of Bonbon, Libertad, Butuan City, was wounded during the firefight.
Investigation
Identified as Tangwayon, the Sparu member reportedly relocated to Purok 4, Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City.
"Our men captured Tangwayon and immediately brought him to the nearest hospital in Balingasag but as a lot of blood was coming out of his bullet wound, he was brought to Cagayan de Oro City," he said.
Unfortunately, Desquitado said Tangwayon was already dead when they reached the Northern Mindanao Medical Center.
He added that his men tried to pursue the two other Sparu members but they disappeared in the darkness.
Moreno said the only way to fight the communist insurgency is to address the people's needs through more government services.
Sources from the National Democratic Front, the political-wing of the NPA, said Tagalog was already in the group's liquidation list.
They said Tagalog was found to have been relaying some intelligence information about the rebel movement to the government.
On the other hand, Sausa is said to have dealt blows with NPA rebels on more than one occasion. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila.
(November 1, 2006 issue)
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