A PLATOON of soldiers killed two New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in an encounter at the boundary of Antique and Iloilo, just hours before Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado assumed the top Army post in a turnover ceremony in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.

Troops from Alpha Company of the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion (IB) also captured a female NPA guerrilla and recovered two M-16 rifles, ammunition bandoleers and nine backpacks.

Lt.  Col.  Ernesto Torres, Army spokesman, said the soldiers, headed by a certain 1Lieutenant Madarag, were conducting anti-insurgency operations when they encountered about 14 rebels at about 6 a.m. at sitio Igpulo, barangay Igcabugao in Igbaras, Iloilo.

He said the rebels withdrew after exchanging gunfire with the Army troopers and after sustaining two fatalities, whose bodies were recovered by the soldiers.

Torres said the operation was the soldiers’ gesture in welcoming Ibrado, who replaced Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who has been installed as chief of staff of the Armed Forces.

In Abra the local command of the NPA accused members of the 50th IB of human-rights violations and the Geneva Convention for allegedly desecrating the body of a guerrilla who was killed in a firefight.

In a statement, Diego Wadagan, spokesman for the Agustin Begnalen Command, said Charlie Company, under 1Lt. John Pedrigosa and 2Lt. Abdul Rashid Avila, allegedly beheaded and desecrated the remains of Sammy “Ka Cholo” Cayago, who was killed in an encounter on March 24 in barangay Tubtuba, Tubo town.

“After almost a month of searching, Ka Cholo’s decomposing body was retrieved by the NPA on April 21. His head was separated from his body. The back portion of his skull was shattered to pieces. Ka Cholo’s remains were placed in a makeshift coffin and buried until it was exhumed on May 2 and turned over to his grieving and outraged family,” Wadagan said.

Decision to lift oil VAT hinges on DOF

THE government’s position on the removal of the expanded value-added tax (E-vat) on electricity rates hinges on a review being conducted by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Palace officials said Wednesday.

President Arroyo has ordered the release of P12,576,938,000 to local government units for the internal revenue allotment (IRA) difference caused by the reenactment of the 2001 and 2004 national budgets.

AN association of taxicab operators filed a petition for an “emergency relief,” or additional P10 for every passenger ride, before the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), claiming that the daily income of taxicab drivers is no longer enough owing to the rising cost of basic commodities.

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Wednesday cautioned the public against the use of airline tickets purchased using counterfeit or unauthorized credit cards through PAL’s online-booking facility.

A PLATOON of soldiers killed two New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in an encounter at the boundary of Antique and Iloilo, just hours before Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado assumed the top Army post in a turnover ceremony in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday welcomed the Libyan government’s effort to help maintain the cease-fire in Mindanao, but doubts if Libyan peace monitors can lead the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

CITING a BusinessMirror exclusive report that the Philippines is “one of the worst places for mothers,” Sen. Edgardo Angara has asked Congress to conduct an in-depth inquiry into cases of maternal and newborn deaths in order to prevent  further increase in the country’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR).