NPA slain in Surigao

From the Malaya Business Insight (Feb 18, 2019): NPA slain in Surigao

A NEW People’s Army rebel died yesterday in a clash with government troops in Masbate while 28 NPA supporters have surrendered to authorities in separate incidents in Surigao del Norte.

The communist rebel was slain during a security operation in Barangay San Antonio in Milagros, said Capt. Joash Pramis, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division.

He said troops from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion and the Milagros police were on security operation in the area at around 6:30 a.m. yesterday when they encountered about 10 NPA rebels.

After a brief firefight, the rebels withdrew, leaving behind the body of one of their comrades. Also recovered at the scene were an M14 rifle, an M653 rifle, two improvised bombs and rebel documents.
AFP Southern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Gilbert Gapay urged the fleeing rebels to surrender.

“The ideology is gone. It’s all extortion and criminal activities now. Lay down your firearms and let the government help you build better lives,” he said.

In Surigao del Norte, 28 armed NPA supporters surrendered to Army officials in Gigaquit town on Friday, said Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command.

Balagtey said the 28 surrendered to the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion, under the command of Lt. Col. Allen Raymund Tomas, in Barangay Caman-onan, bringing along with them assorted firearms.

They were welcomed to government during rites presided by Guigaquit Mayor Elvira Egay. Over 200 other rebels and supporters who earlier surrendered also took their oath of allegiance during their ceremony.

https://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/npa-slain-surigao