Bula, Camarines Sur – (March 28) A high ranking officer of the New Peoples Army (NPA) died in an encounter with the Philippine Army in a remote area of this town as government troops verified a report from civilians that the armed rebel group celebrated their founding anniversary.
Died from several gunshot wounds was Vicente Avocado also known as “Ka Tony” and “Ka Persie,” the Secretary General of Front Committee 74 of the New Peoples Army operating in the first district and fourth district of this province including the town of Bula.
Lt. Col. Alex Luna, Battalion Commander of the 42nd Infantry Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army here said his men under Army Lt. Pastrana were conducting surveillance operations of the upper area of Barangay San Francisco of this town when they met the armed rebels.
Reportedly, the group of Avocado had just celebrated their anniversary.
According to Col. Luna, upon sensing that the army was in the area, the rebels immediately fired at the government troops.
Since his men were in a good position during exchange of fire, however, Pastrana’s group were able to shoot and kill Avocado and seriously injure at least five other rebels. The rebels retreated to the mountainous area as a consequence.
The rebels left an M16 Armalite rifle believed to be the firearm of “Ka Persie,” and some subversive documents containing name list of businessmen being extorted revolutionary taxes by the NPA.
Meanwhile, Greg Banares, NPA spokesman for Bikol, declared to media that civilians in the remote areas of this province remain sympathetic to the revolutionary group because of abuses of army personnel committed against ordinary people.