2 soldiers dead in fierce clash with NPA

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 11): 2 soldiers dead in fierce clash with NPA

Two Army soldiers were killed when a fierce gun battle erupted between government security forces and communist insurgents at Sitio Tibog, Barangay San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur according to a report from the command and tactical operation center of the Army’s 4^th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4^th ID) on Tuesday.

A flash report received by the 4^th ID action center also stated that wide pursuit operations is still ongoing along the Diwata range in Lianga mountains.

Maj. Leo Bongosia, regional Army spokesman said the communist insurgents were regular fighters of Front Committee 19 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Party Committee (NMRPC).

“As of this time, we cannot still determined the exact time of the encounter started  and we cannot also determined the number of casualty(s) on the enemy side as wide pursuit operation is still ongoing,” said Maj. Bongosia.

Identities of the slain Army soldiers were temporarily withheld pending immediate notification to their next kin, Maj. Bongosia said.

The slain soldiers were members of the 29^th Infantry Battallion (29^th IB) based at St. Christine, in Lianga town of that same province, he said.

Initial field report coming from the field said elements of 29^th IB while conducting combat operations encountered in a fierce fire fight undetermined number of heavily armed NPA rebels at Sitio Tibog in Barangay San Isidro, Lianga town.  

“Our operating troops believed inflicted casualty to the enemy side as evidenced shown along the rebels’ route of withdrawal,” claimed Maj. Bongosia.

He added pursuing troops are still following the bloodstains along the rebels escape route of withdrawal.

Pursuit operations are ongoing as of press time.

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