ZAMBOANGA CITY–A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel leader was killed while two soldiers were wounded in a clash in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the military reported on Thursday.
Maj. Ronald Suscano, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the clash broke out while the a team of military and police personnel were on a law enforcement operation around 7 a.m. Wednesday in the town of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Suscano identified the slain NPA leader as Edwin Lapinig, alias Ka Baz, Platoon Basil commander of the Mobile Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU) under the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).
Suscano said the clash ensued as Lapinig opened fire that prompted the troops to engage Lapinig’s group.
He said Lapinig has standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder issued by the court in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
He added the slain NPA leader was involved in the recent killing of two soldiers; disarming of policemen in Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Misamis Occidental and burning of heavy equipment of a construction firm undertaking government project here in Region 9.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, congratulated the joint military and police operatives for the successful law enforcement operation.
“We will continue the security operations in our area of responsibility in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the people,” Murillo said.
He urged the families, relatives and neighbors of remaining NPA rebels to convince them to surrender and live peacefully with their loved ones. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr. with reports from Hirohito D. Cadion/PNA)
