A soldier of Army's 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) and two suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed after a firefight at Sitio Camarin, Napnapan, Pantukan in Compostela Valley province on Sunday.
In a statement furnished by the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) to Sun.Star Davao Monday morning, the encounter between the government troops and over 50 NPA rebels of Guerilla Front 2 took place at around 11:55 a.m. in the said area.
The fallen soldier was identified as Private First Class (PFC) Camlon C. Alisot.
Recovered from the encounter site were live ammunitions of M16 rifle, and one improvised explosive grenade.
Soldiers belonging to the 71st IB, under 1st Lieutenant Lawrence Cresencio, were conducting security patrol when they received a report from a civilian, notifying them of alleged extortion and presence of rebels among the villages.
The Army said that six other NPA rebels were also wounded during the said encounter.
NPA rebels managed to extract the bodies of the two fallen members while the six wounded comrades were treated near the said area.
Military troops are still conducting pursuit operations against the NPA rebels as of this writing.
Military said that they are also locating the remains of the fallen NPA rebels to facilitate a proper burial for them and documentation.
Colonel Casiano Monilla, commander of the 1001st Infatry Brigade, in his statement, said that he felt saddened by the death of their fellow soldier.
Monilla also directed the military units near the area to coordinate with the Pantukan police to locate the cadaver of the bodies of the fallen rebels.
"I encourage the remaining NPA rebels to return to the folds of the law while they still have the chance. AFP-PNP operations shall continue against the NPA rebels not only due to ther extortion activities, attacks to civilians, but also deception activities," Monilla said. (KRP)