4 rebels killed in northern Mindanao encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): 4 rebels killed in northern Mindanao encounter

Four New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed during a series of encounter with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Northern Mindanao beginning Sept. 20 to 22.

At 8:50 p.m. Sunday, elements of the 4th Infantry Division encountered around five rebels in Barangay Busdi, Malaybalay City in Bukidnon while conducting combat operations and were able to overrun enemy position.

Two NPAs were killed while two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and other belongings were recovered.

Another encounter occurred last Sept. 20, between the 4th Infantry Division and around 20 NPA fighters in Barangay Ima, Sison, Surgao Del Norte, that left two NPAs dead.

Recovered were four high-powered firearms, one improvised explosive device, and ammunition among others.

No casualty were reported on the AFP side in both encounters.

Meanwhile, the NPA rebels destroyed at 1 a.m. Sunday a Citizens’ Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) outpost in Barangay Kibanban, Balingasag, Misamis City, killing one soldier and four CAFGUs and wounding three more.

The area was dubbed as the "Village of Hope" in 2005 as the local provincial government and the military regained and rebuilt it from communist influence.

The attack terrorized the former NPA stronghold where reports said civilians were hogtied during the attack.

Joint police and military forces were already deployed in the pursuit operations.

The AFP will continue its focused military operations against the NPAs who continue to exploit civilians in rural areas in the country.

"Our on-going operations in Zamboanga City will not compromise our security patrols and intelligence gathering, in line with the IPSP Bayanihan, in other parts of the country to prevent other threat groups from conducting atrocities," it added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=568593