TWO communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed, while another was captured following a gun battle in the outskirts of Davao City, the military reported Friday, September 11.
Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr., commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the clash happened Wednesday, September 9, in the forested area of Sitio Kanacan Saloy village, Calinan District, Davao City.
The clash ensued while the troops of the 27th Infantry Battalion were checking on the reported presence of NPA rebels in Sitio Kanacan, Saloy village.
Faustino said the firefight resulted in the death of two communist rebels. The remaining members of the NPA fled to different directions.
He said the troops, while conducting a clearing operation at the clash site, also captured a wounded female NPA member, who was abandoned by his comrades.
The troops immediately provided first aid to the injured NPA member, who was later brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for further treatment.
Recovered from the clash site were five high-powered firearms consisting of one M4 rifle, three M-16 Armalite rifles, and one M-14 rifle left behind by the fleeing rebels.
Faustino lauded the efforts of the 27th Infantry Battalion in securing the community in Davao City from possible atrocities.
He also commended the support of the community for informing the troops about the presence of the communist rebels in their area. (SunStar Zamboanga)