2 NPA rebels die in Zamboanga del Sur clash

From InterAksyon (Jul 7): 2 NPA rebels die in Zamboanga del Sur clash

Three people, including two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, were killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur, a military official announced Wednesday.

Major Filemon Tan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman, said the clash took place around 3:05 p.m. Tuesday at Purok 7, Barangay Supon, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.

Tan said the troops from the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion backed by members of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) were conducting security operation when they chanced upon a group of NPA rebels in Barangay Supon, Bayog town.

Tan said a firefight ensued that resulted in the death of two NPA rebels and a CVO member on the government side.

Tan identified the slain NPA rebels as a certain Ka Nilo and Ka Cherry, both members of the NPA’s Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP)-KARA.

He said the remains of the slain NPA rebels, which the troops recovered, were turned over to the village authorities for proper disposition.

He said the troops have recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle, subversive documents, medical paraphernalia, and other personal belongings abandoned by the other members of SYP-KARA, who fled leaving behind their dead comrades.

Tan did not release the identity of the slain CVO based in Barangay Supon, Bayog.

He said the military continues to support the police and the local government units in the conduct of law enforcement operations to pin down NPA members in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

http://interaksyon.com/article/130056/2-npa-rebels-die-in-zamboanga-del-sur-clash