A MEMBER of a bandit group, believed to have ties with kidnap-for-ranson-group (KFRG), was killed while a New People’s Army (NPA) rebels was captured in separate clashes in Zamboanga Peninsula, the military reported on Sunday, June 10.

The slain bandit was identified as Haton Hassan, while the captured NPA rebel as Jerry Nunez Macabinta alias “Ka Elly.”

Major General Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said Hassan was killed in a firefight Saturday at Sitio Marhadja in the village of Panabutan, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Murillo said the troops from the Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion were on security patrol when they clashed with the bandit group led by Jumalon Tungkalan.

Murillo said the clash lasted around five minutes, after which the group of Tungkalan fled to different directions.

He said the troops also recovered a caliber .45 pistol from the clash site.

The group of Tungkalan is involved in different atrocities in the area of Sirawai town and in nearby areas.

Murillo said that Macabinta was captured following a five-minute firefight Saturday ar Sitio Pisio in the village of Balonai, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

He said the operating troops of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion led by Sergeant Roseller Delparine were conducting combat operations when they clashed with five NPA rebels.

He said the NPA rebels, who belong to the Section Committee-KARA of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, fled to different directions leaving behind Macabinta.

Seized from Macabinta’s possession was a caliber .45 pistol.

Murillo said there were no casualties on the government troops in both clashes. (SunStar Philippines)