(Update) NPA rebel dies in an encounter with army troopers in Occ. Mindoro

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 6): (Update) NPA rebel dies in an encounter with army troopers in Occ. Mindoro

A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with troopers from the 76th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) on Sunday while the troopers were conducting security patrol at Kalibunlibunan sub-village in Pinagturilan in Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro.

PA 2ID chief of the division public affairs office 1st Lieutenant Xy-zon Meneses said a member of the Mangyan tribe who has surrendered to the 76th IB following NPA announcement on the cessation of the unilateral ceasefire tipped the authorities of the rebel movements.

Meneses added that an exchange of gun fire with 20 NPA rebels lasted for 30 minutes during the encounter.

Army troopers killed one of the insurgents during the gun battle and confiscated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a caliber 45 pistol with magazine, two long magazines for an M16 Armalite rifle, binocular, four backpacks, personal belongings and subversive documents.

Authorities believed the brigand was part of the group that ransacked and burned a private security detachment in Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas last Jan. 31.

In a subsequent report, Major Virgilio J Perez, Jr. (Inf) PA , chief of the information office of the Southern Luzon Command (SolCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stationed in Lucena City, Quezon relayed the message of SolCom commander Lieutenant General Ferdinand F. Quidilla for the pursuit operation against the rebels.

“We will continue to pursue the fleeing NPA rebels and ensure that they will not pose threats against our troops and the community,” Quidilla said.

Both AFP and PNP forces continue their pursuit operation and offensive against the rebels as of press time.

The recovered body of the NPA rebel was turned over to the Santa Cruz municipal police station in Occidental Mindoro for identification and proper disposition.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=961359