PNP: 1 of 2 rebels captured in Mindoro clash dies

Two members of New People’s Army (NPA) unit suspected of collecting permit-to-win fees were captured after a firefight in Mansalay town in Mindoro Oriental Friday, with one of them succumbing to his injuries. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the two were among 40 heavily armed NPAs who engaged police and military forces in a 25-minute firefight at 6:15 a.m. Friday. It identified the fatality as Edwin Ibañez, who was wounded during the firefight and captured at a checkpoint in nearby Roxas town. He died while being brought to a nearby hospital at 8 a.m. On the other hand, Alvin Mendoza, 22, was also wounded in the firefight. He was captured and brought to the Roxas District Hospital. Joint elements of the Army’s 4th Infantry Battalion Alpha Company and the PNP Regional Public Safety Management Battalion were acting on a tip from local residents that NPAs were collecting permit-to-win fees from candidates running for local posts in Mansalay and neighboring towns. The PNP claimed several NPAs led by Virginia “Ka Insay" Magadia and a certain Kumander Chakoy were injured in the firefight. However, Magadia and Chakoy fled toward a piggery near Bonbon village. A pursuit operation is now ongoing against the withdrawing insurgents while the wounded rebel is under heavy guard. — LBG, GMANews.TV