TWO New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while a soldier was slightly wounded in a series of clashes in the province of Agusan del Sur, the military said Saturday, May 2.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesperson, said the first clash occurred in Thursday afternoon, April 30, at Sitio Mahayon-hayon in Guibonon village, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
The clash occurred while the troops of the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion led by Staff Sergeant Joseph Hulibayan conducted security patrol in response to the reported presence of NPA rebels at Sitio Mahayon-hayon, Guibonon village, Esperanza.
Balagtey said the clash resulted to the injury of Hulibayan, who despite being wounded, led the pursuit operation against the NPA rebels, who fled following a seven-minute firefight.
He added that another firefight ensued around 10:30 p.m. Thursday in the same village, which lasted for about 20 minutes and resulted to the death of two NPA rebels.
The troops recovered the remains of the two slain NPA rebels as their comrades scampered to different directions. Also recovered were two M-16 Armalite and one AK-47 rifles, magazines, bandoliers, and ammunition.
The troops have coordinated with the local government unit and police of Esperanza town for the identification and turnover of the two NPA cadavers.
Meanwhile, another firefight ensued Thursday in Tuburan village, Tulunan, North Cotabato.
The troops of the Army 39th Infantry Battalion and militiamen were conducting security operations when they clashed against a group of NPA rebels in Tuburan village, Tulunan town, according to Balagtey.
Balagtey added no one was reported killed or injured on both the troops and NPA rebels.
As this developed, Major General Jose Faustino, Jr., commander of Eastmincom, has directed all units of his command to continuously intensify security operations.
“Let us continue with our relentless operations to deny the terrorists the opportunity to carry out coercion and intimidation so that the communities can continuously cope with the crisis brought about by coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” Faustino said. (SunStar Zamboanga)