AN ALLEGED high-ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in an encounter against government troops in Sitio Narvasa, Brgy. Pinilayan, Tagoloan II, Lanao del Sur over the weekend.
The encounter took place along the boundary of Bukidnon and Lanao de Sur provinces after elements of the 65th Infantry Stalwart Battalion (65IB), who were conducting focused military operations in the area, were fired upon by more or less 70 armed men allegedly under Guerilla Front Committee 68.
The firefight lasted about 20 minutes and resulted in the death of a man identified as Alias Alan, an alleged commander of the Platoon 2 under the Guerilla Front Committee 68.
A soldier, identity withheld, was wounded when a bullet hit his hand during the firefight. He has received treatment and is in stable condition.
Government troops are conducting hot pursuit operations against the rebels.
The troops seized one M16 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, six AK-47 magazines with live ammunitions, 14 backpacks, 27 sacks of rice, medical supplies, and “subversive documents with high intelligence value”.
Major General Ronald Villanueva, commander of Army's 4th Infantry Division said the troops who engaged with the NPA are "battle tested from Western Mindanao". He warned that the troops will not stop until communities will be cleared of the NPA.
"These NPAs only have 2 options, either they will stay with the terrorist group, continue believing in the failed armed struggle and die eventually during encounter with our troops or they will lay down their arms and be with their families, especially during Christmas," Villanueva said.
"The 4th Infantry Division will help surrenderees enroll in the E-Clip where they can be reintegrated back to the society and live a normal life away from chaos, hunger, and fear of dying in an encounter with our troops," he added.
E-Clip refers to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.