TWO members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in a clash in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental on Thursday, August 11, 2022.
The government troops reported that two high-powered firearms, two M16 rifles, were recovered after a 20-minute firefight between the rebels and the Army's 58th Infantry (Dimalulupig) Battalion at Sitio Haruhay, Barangay Lunotan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental around 6:30 a.m.
The armed rebels were believed to be combined elements of Platoon Falcon and SR SDG Eagles, all of SRC1, North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).
Apart from the two high-powered firearms, the government troops also seized one IED, cellphones and other materials.
Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Canatoy, the commanding officer of the 58th IB, reiterated his call to the rebel groups still hiding in the hinterlands to "lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law."
"Otherwise, our troops will not hesitate to use force against you and you will end up with the same fate as the two casualties," Canatoy said.
"This encounter should serve as another eye-opener to the remaining members of the NPA to voluntarily surrender and avail the different programs of the government that are enough for them to start a new life," he added. (SunStar Philippines)