NPA rebel killed in Bukidnon clash

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Feb 19, 2019): NPA rebel killed in Bukidnon clash

A SUSPECTED member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed on Monday, February 18, as troops continued their pursuit operations after the Valentine's Day encounter which claimed the lives of two soldiers in Sitio Green Valley, Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Captain Ryan Layug, civil military officer of the 403rd Brigade, said the NPA scampered during the firefight n Lantapan, Bukidnon and left their dead comrade behind. The troops captured one M653 high powered rifle. The encounter site is adjacent to an NPA hideout where the soldiers found 3 sacks of rice.
The firefight on Monday brought the number of NPAs killed to five.

"The Special Forces tracked and reached the NPAs in Lantapan, Bukidnon after being tipped off by civilians. This is a clear manifestation that they are unwanted to IP communities and farmers in the area" Col Edgardo De Leon, 403rd Brigade Commander said.

Residents of Sitio Green Valley earlier declared the NPA as persona non-grata.

"We will defend our people and communities from these terrorist at all cost. That is our mandate," Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division said.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1793381