A NEW People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while another was captured in a brief shootout Thursday, August 11, in the province of Saranggani, the military reported Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Major General Roy Galido, commander of Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central, identified the slain NPA as Gilbert Matingkal, 23 and captured was Ronel Matingkal, 18. Both are from the village of La Union, Maitum, Saranggani.

Galido said that the troops of the 38th Infantry Battalion were conducting a combat clearing operation when they chanced upon the two NPA rebels in La Union village, Maitum.

He said that Gilbert pulled his pistol and opened fire which prompted the soldiers to retaliate killing the latter instantaneously. Ronel was captured.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command, said that they will never allow the NPAs to create havoc in peaceful communities.

“The remnants of the NPA are desperately finding means for survival, hence, we are exhausting our resources to hunt them down,” Rosario said. (SunStar Zamboanga)