2 NPA fighters killed in clash with gov’t troops

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 20): 2 NPA fighters killed in clash with gov’t troops

TWO ALLEGED members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed and two M16 rifles recovered after a clash with the troops of 39th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Caceras, Barangay Upper Bala, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur on Wednesday around 11:30 a.m.

Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, the commander of 39th IB, told TIMES yesterday that the troops of 39th IB encountered more or less 30 communist guerrillas in the area.

The soldiers immediately established a defensive position and fired at the rebels. The firefight lasted for about an hour.

Accordingly, the 39th Infantry Battalion received information regarding the meeting by the NPA members in the forested area of Barangay Upper Bala. 

The leaders of the group were identified by the witnesses as Norma Capuyan alias Libra, Dave Verano alias Borjack and Eusebio Cranzo alias Brix.

Soldiers were deployed to verify the information and chanced upon the group. Two NPA fighters were killed in the operation and their rifles seized.

According to Sr Supt. Samuel Gadingan, Davao Del Sur Provincial Police Office director, one of the rifles was traced to the raid on Matanao Police Office last March 10, 2014.

There were no reported wounded among the soldiers of 39th IB.

Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, commanding officer of 39IB, thanked the residents and barangay officials for the information.

On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, 1002nd Infantry Brigade commander, called on the remaining NPA fighters to surrender and avail of the government programs so they can live with their families again.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Noel S Clement, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, lauded the troops for the successful operation.

“Our forces will continue hunting down the remaining CPP-NPA terrorists but will spare those who want to surrender,” he said.

“Let us work hand in hand to end terrorism brought by CPP-NPA,” he added. “Insurgency is everybody’s responsibility.”

http://mindanaotimes.net/2-npa-fighters-killed-in-clash-with-govt-troops/