A SUSPECTED member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed, while a government soldier was wounded in a renewed clash between the military and communist insurgents in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental on Tuesday, December 10.
Troops under the 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) raided an alleged NPA hideout in Mount Obulan in Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental where they seized high-powered firearms.
Seized from the hideout were six firearms, which include two M653 rifles, an M16 rifle, AK-47 rifle, a Garand rifle, and a caliber .22 rifle.
The military said troops were responding to a tip from an informant that the Maoist guerillas were present in the community.
Soldiers engaged around 10 NPA combatants in a firefight which lasted for about 30 minutes.
The wounded soldier, who was part of the assaulting team, claimed that several NPA rebels were injured after the raid.
Lieutenant Colonel Roy Derilo, commander of the 58th Infantry Battalion, said an NPA surrenderer disclosed the location of the hideout in Misamis Oriental.
Brigadier General Edgardo de Leon, 403rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the Army will continue its focused military operations against the NPA, particularly those belonging to the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
"Patapos na ang panawagan namin sa mga rebeldeng NPA na magbalik loob sa pamahalaan. Marami na po ang nagtiwala at nabigyan ng tulong ng gobyerno. Pero ayon sa mga naunang bumaba, patuloy pa rin daw ang pagpipigil sa kanila ng kanilang mga pinuno. Kaya wala na po kaming magagawa kundi ilunsad na ang tuloy tuloy na opensiba para matapos na ang panggugulo ng CPP-NPA. Katulad ng sinabi ko noong magumpisa ang aming kampanya, may hangganan ang ECLIP, magpapatuloy ang aming opensiba para sa mga ayaw talaga ng mapayapang pagbabago," De Leon added.