5 NPA rebels killed in Caraga

From MindaNews (May 20, 2019): 5 NPA rebels killed in Caraga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Five suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed in a series of encounters with government troops in Caraga region last Sunday.

Capt. Francisco Garello, spokesperson of the Army 402nd Infantry Brigade said a platoon of 20 soldiers chanced on a group of 10 suspected rebels resting under the trees in Barangay Cancavan, Carmen town in Surigao del Sur.

“We’ve been monitoring their presence since the May 13 elections. We moved against them when we realized they were still there after the elections,” Garello said.

Garello said the soldiers caught the rebels by surprise and a 15-minute gun battle ensued.

“The soldiers and rebels were chasing each other. It was a running gun battle for 15 minutes,” he said.

Garello said the bodies of four rebels were recovered together with three AK-47 rifles, two M16 rifles, three mobile phones and assorted ammunition.

In Remedios T. Romualdez town in Agusan del Norte, another encounter between Army soldiers and NPA rebels happened in Barangay San Antonio last Sunday.

Garello said one rebel died in the encounter and the soldiers were able to recover his firearm, an AK 47 rifle with two magazines.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/05/5-npa-rebels-killed-in-caraga/