The National Democratic Front in the Philippines (NDFP) via a statement, expressed outrage over the deaths of five (5) members of its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), according to a report released on June 8, 2021.
The deaths occurred during a clash between the members of its armed wing (the NPA) and the government troops in Bilar town on May 25, 2021.
The NDFP also saluted the killed suspected members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) for sacrificing their lives to the front.
In a statement published in its website, Jose Ignacio, the media liaison officer of NDF-Bohol, said “pulang pagsaludo alang sa Cabacnitan 5.”
The 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) identified the killed CTG rebels as Joseph Bautista, 33, from Inabanga town; Romeo Nabas, 54, from Batuan town; Marvin Terig, 22, from Danao town; Junrey Bucar, 20, from Bilar town; and Edionela Nuera, 18, from Trinidad town.
To recall, on May 25, 2021, members of the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) were on security patrol when the alleged NPAs opened fire at them, leading to a firefight. The NPAs then retreated to a forested area.
The police report said that the firefight started at around 5:45 a.m. when troops clashed with at least 11 NPA members. A soldier was wounded, the police report adds.
The exchange of gunfire lasted for about 2 hours, according to reports.
Reports also reveal that at least 53 families from the said barangay in Bilar fled from the encounter site and evacuated to the barangay hall or transferred temporarily to the houses of their respective relatives.