TWO New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed while three firearms were seized after an encounter with government troops in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on June 21, 2022.
In a statement, the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) identified the two dead rebels as Rey Torregosa, a resident of Barangay Maasin, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and a member of Platoon Sagay, SRC 3; and Juliven Badbaran, a resident of Barangay Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, who is a former CO of Platoon Banglas, SRC 3 and a member of Platoon Sagay, SRC3 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC).
The clash with around 15 NPA rebels at So Little Baguio, Barangay Consorcia in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte resulted to the seizure of one RPK LMG, one AK47 Rifle, one M16 Rifle, one Anti-Personnel Mine (APM), 11 AK47 magazines, three M14 magazines, NPA flags, subversive documents and assorted personal belongings.
Brigade General Adonis Ariel Orio, the commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the 23IB.
"I would like to commend the troops of 23rd Infantry Battalion for your recent accomplishment. Indeed, the successful conduct of your combat operation was a result of careful planning, excellent intelligence and strategy with flawless execution of our capable leaders and soldiers," Orio said.
Orio also appealed to the remaining members of the communist terrorist groups to lay down their arms and return to the folds of law to live peacefully and be with their families.
"As we have vowed to protect our people, we will continue to hunt the enemies down and remain true to our mandate of sustaining the peace and development in the area of Agusan del Norte," he added.