2 NPAs killed in latest skirmish with AFP in Agusan del Norte

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 16): 2 NPAs killed in latest skirmish with AFP in Agusan del Norte

Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – Two members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were reportedly killed while an Army soldier was wounded in a series of gun battles on Sunday at the hinterland area of Pang-uwayan, Zapanta Valley, in Kitcharao town, Agusan del Norte, a sketchy report reaching the advance command post (ACP) of the Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) here yesterday stated.

An initial flash report received here also stated that combat maneuvering troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion (29th IB) under the command of Lt. Col. Ariel Orio, already captured some war materiel, including an AK 47 rifle from the slain rebels.

According to initial report, the encountered NPAs were members of Front Committee 16-A and Front Committee 21-A, both of the CPP/NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The initial engagement between patrolling troops of “Bravo Coy” of 29th IB and an undetermined number of heavily armed member from Front Committee 16-A occurred at 6:40 a.m. on Sunday where an Army soldier was wounded after an almost 30-minute gunfight.

The Army has withheld the identity of the wounded soldier until proper notification of his kin.

The next fierce gunbattle took place at 8:30 a.m. still at Pang-uwayan area where the two NPA rebels were killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were also critically wounded.

“This time, operating troops of Bravo Company (29th IB) captured an AK 47 rifle and undetermined number of live bullets from the running rebels,” Col. Rey Pasco, commanding officer of 4th Civil Military Operations (4th CMO) based here, told Manila Bulletin yesterday.

Then about two hours later, elements of the same battalion engaged members of Front Committee 21-A in nearby Jabonga area.

By that time, reinforcements from other NPA commands were believed to have already reinforce their beleaguered comrades in Pang-uwayan area, the 4th CMO commander said, in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin.

As of press time, pursuit operations were already being undertaken against the NPAs in the Zapanta Valley complex.

Two attack helicopter gunships from the Philippine Air Forces (PAF) Strike Wing/Tactical Operations Group (TOG) have also been deployed to extend air support to the pursuing troops in Zapanta Valley.

Col. Alexander Macario, commanding officer of the 401st Infantry Brigade based in Awa, New Leyte, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, has also mobilized more combat maneuvering troops to reinforce pursuing troops.

 

http://www.mb.com.ph/2-npas-killed-in-latest-skirmish-with-afp-in-agusan-del-norte/