A communist guerrilla was killed in a clash with the 1st Special Forces Battalion in a forested area near Barangay New Eden, Pangantucan, Bukidnon around 9 a.m. yesterday.
Meanwhile, two soldiers were also wounded during the encounter.
Capt. Norman Tagros, the spokesperson of 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the soldiers were conducting a security patrol in response to the complaints of local residents about the presence of armed individuals who threaten the community with extortion, intimidation, and forced recruitment.
However, they were attacked by more or less 10 New People's Army rebels. The soldiers retaliated and killed one of the fighters whose identity is still unknown. The group was believed to be members of Guerrilla Front 68 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The soldiers seized one M16 rifle with M203 grenade launcher attached, one M16 rifle, one M14 rifle, one barrel of the M60 machine gun, eight anti-personnel mines, one hand grenade, and assorted live ammunition.
Meanwhile, the two soldiers are already in stable condition after they were brought to a military hospital in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.
Lt. Col. Sergio P Macarandan, commanding officer of the 1st Special Forces Battalion, assured that there would be no letup in their pressure on the NPA until all the communities will be cleared from the influence of the rebels.
“The encounter that that transpired was a result of the cooperation and collaboration of our state security forces, our local populace, and the local government unit of Pangantucan, Bukidnon,” Macarandan said.
Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, warned the remaining NPA rebels that they will suffer the same fate of their dead comrade until they lay down their arms.
“To the members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist organization, let me remind you that you only have two options. Surrender and embrace peace or die a senseless death,” Vinoya said.
“Nevertheless, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the CPP-NPA member who died. This could not have happened if he was not deceived, exploited, and brainwashed by the leaders of this terrorist organization,” the brigade commander further said.
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