FOUR New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in the province of South Cotabato, the military reported Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central commander, said the clash happened in the evening of Friday, April 8, in Sitio Limite, Upper Maculan village, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Uy identified the slain NPA rebels as follows: Ariel Moca Lasib, with aliases of Jenrose and Hadi, 2nd Deputy Secretary of Guerilla Front (GF) Musa; Johndel Limosnero alias Butod, Supply Officer of GF Musa; and a certain Ka Rex and Ka Nomer, both members of the Yunit Milisya.
Seized from their possession were four caliber .45 pistols, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and several communication equipment, Uy said.
He said the troops of the 5th Special Forces Battalion conducted a checkpoint operation in Sitio Limite, Upper Maculan, Lake Sebu, to intercept the tax implementing group of the GF Musa of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region.
“Our intelligence operatives were strictly monitoring the movements of the group. Due to the development of our intel operations, troops organized a checkpoint and successfully intercepted four CTG (communist terrorist group) personalities onboard two motorcycles, however, one of the suspects immediately fired upon the government forces which led to an armed confrontation,” Uy said.
Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said they continue to conduct focused and civil-military operations to ensure the safety and security of the people amid the preparations for the upcoming national and local elections.
“Rest assured that with the support from the local government and the populace, we will be able to sustain the peace and order here in Mindanao,” Rosario added. (SunStar Zamboanga)