THREE suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed Tuesday, June 8, 2021, during the conduct of hot pursuit operations against the rebels responsible for the explosion that killed a football player and his uncle in Masbate City.
In a statement, the Joint Task Force Bicolandia said elements of 9th Infantry Division and Police Regional Office 5 engaged at least 30 communist rebels in a firefight in Barangay Anas. It lasted for about 15 minutes until the rebels fled.
Various high-powered firearms, including three M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, various war materials and propaganda materials were seized at the encounter site.
Two hours later, government troops captured another 12 high-powered firearms, consisting of 11 M16 rifles and one M653 rifle which were hidden in a nipa hut at the boundary of Barangay Anas and Barangay Bolo in Masbate City.
These were believed to have been left behind by the fleeing terrorists.
On Sunday, June 6, an improvised explosive device went off in Barangay Anas, killing Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon, 21, and his uncle Nolven Absalon, 40.
Nolven’s 16-year-old son was wounded. The IED was believed to have been planted by the NPA rebels. (SunStar Philippines)