NPA officer killed, Army soldier wounded in series of encounters in Bukidnon

 From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 14, 2020): NPA officer killed, Army soldier wounded in series of encounters in Bukidnon (By Mike Crismundo)

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed, while a government trooper was wounded, in a series of armed skirmishes between soldiers of the 88th Infantry (Maringal) Battalion (88th IB) and insurgents in Barangay Nakabuklad in San Fernando town, and Barangay Minungan in Quezon town, both in Bukidnon province.

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday, 88th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Capt. Norven Jay Garcia said the Communist rebels were members of the Guerilla Front Malayag of Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA North Ventral Mindanao Regional Committee.

Garcia also said there were an undetermined number of NPAs who were wounded in the encounters.

The first encounter started at 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 6, that lasted for about 10 minutes in Mt. Miyangki, Sitio Supon, Barangay Nagkabuklad, San Fernando.

“The terrorist group that was encountered by the government forces was composed of 20 members under the leadership of an alias Ka Migs”, the 88th IB CMO officer said.

The terrorists scampered to different directions after the firefight.

“Bloodstains indicating an undetermined number of casualties were discovered by government troops while scouring the abandoned terrorist temporary hideout,” Garcia said.

The fatality was later identified as a certain Ka Ladong, who also had the aliases Kalipay and Bahubali, vice commanding officer of Platoon 1, GF Malayag. The body was later turned over to the local government unit (LGU )of San Fernando for proper disposition, the 88th IB CMO officer said.

Meanwhile, the same unit also encountered some 30 heavily armed CNTs at around 8:55a.m. on Friday, October 9, in the hinterland area of Barangay Minungan, Quezon town of that same province.

The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes.

While the government troops were scouring the encounter site, another gun battle transpired at around 12:33 in the afternoon on that same day.

The exchange of gunfire lasted for another 20 minutes, and resulted in the wounding of a government soldier due to a landmine explosion.

The wounded soldier was immediately picked-up by a gunship helicopter of the Philippine Air Force strike wing of Tactical Operations Group, and evacuated to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro for medical attention. He is currently in stable status, Garcia said.

The government troops seized an anti-personnel landmine, ammunitions, detonating wires, assorted medicine and personal belongings of the Communist terrorists after the encounter.

“It is sad that another Filipino who was deceived by misleading ideals of the communist terrorist died in one of the encounters,” said Lt. Col. Franklin F. Fabic, commanding officer of the 88th IB.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. I encourage the remaining NPA members to surrender now, and be with your families while you still have the chance,” he added.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/14/npa-officer-killed-army-soldier-wounded-in-series-of-encounters-in-bukidnon/