TWO members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in a clash in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 27, 2023, the military reported.

Brigader General Rommel Almaria, the 401st Infantry Brigade commander, said the dead NPA rebels are still unidentified.

According to Almaria, they encountered around 18 NPA rebels at Sitio Vertudazo, Barangay San Juan in Bayugan City after the joint operations conducted by the 401IB and 901st Infantry Brigade in reponse to the reports from local residents of armed elements present in the area.

The firefight lasted for 15 minutes.

Recovered from the encounter site were one M4 Carbine Rifle, one Modified Carbine Rifle, numerous ammunitions and magazines, and personal belongings.

Almaria said he attributed the success of the joint operation to the sustained convergence of efforts of the members of TF-ELCAC that provided peace and developmental projects for the people.

"Our partnership with line agencies under the auspices of Task Force ELCAC is the centerpiece of our campaign to defeat the CTG. We earn the trust and support of the people when we provide them a conducive place to live that is economically developed and free from the threat and influence of the CTG," Almaria said.

Brigader General George Banzon, the 901IB commander, for his part, said the joint operations of the military will effectively block traditional routes of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and also cut off their resource and supply generations.

“We intend to finish this fight. While we have achieved so much in our campaign and declared 2022 as 4ID’s banner year, we shall continue to capitalize in our gains and step up some more to finally defeat the CTG to its smallest formations," Banzon said.

"Hence, we will continue to reach out not only to our partner agencies but also to the remaining CTG members to peacefully lay down their arms so that we could avoid the use of violence and instead save lives in our path towards achieving peace," he added.