BGY. Antipolo, Rizal, Laguna -- Two suspected armed men were killed in an encounter with members of the Army’s Special Forces team operating in Magdalena-Majayjay-Liliw areas before dawn yesterday.

Reports said the troops were about to approach their target when they saw some men approaching. They then positioned themselves to observe.

The troops then saw a group of men armed with guns and flashlights as if searching for something.

At about 25 yards away, the soldiers were fired upon by the group, prompting the troops to return fire, triggering a five-minute skirmish that left two of the suspects killed and two others armed with two air rifles wounded. The slain suspects’ identities were not immediately available as of press time

The troops applied first aid to the wounded before they  took them to the Majayjay Hospital. When asked why they were roaming armed in the wee hours, the two said they were hunting wild animals.

The operation was conducted amid reports of residents that unidentified men believed to be New People’s Army rebels allegedly were conducting meetings in the area.

Subversive materials were later recovered at an unoccupied house some two kilometers away from the encounter site.

In a statement, Col. Ivan F Samarita, commander of the Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade, expressed regret over the unfortunate incident. He discouraged civilians to roam the hinterlands during wee hours carrying guns.

On the culpability of the troops, he said, “We have started the process of investigating and conducting interviews to the involve troops, wounded civilians and residents and the result of which will be submitted to appropriate authorities.” 


With Zaida delos Reyes-Palanca