NPA rebel killed in Agusan Norte clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23, 2021): NPA rebel killed in Agusan Norte clash (By Alexander Lopez)

SEIZED. Troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion recover a high-powered firearm, war materiel, and personal belongings of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after an encounter in Sitio Cabadiangan, Barangay Jaliobong, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte early Friday morning (July 23, 2021). An NPA rebel was also killed during the 25-minute clash. (Photo courtesy of 29IB)

A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed early Friday in an encounter with government forces in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

2Lt. Roselyn Matulac, civil-military operations officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), told the Philippine News Agency that their troops were conducting a security patrol whey they encountered around seven NPA insurgents in Sitio Cabadingan, Barangay Jaliobong at around 5:15 a.m.

The rebels were led by a certain Samuel Batican, alias Popo, of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16A, Guerrilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.

“We dispatched our troops in the area due to the series of reports from civilians on the presence of NPA rebels,” Matulac said.

The 25-minute firefight also resulted in the seizure of one high-powered firearm, war materiel, food, and personal belongings of the rebels.

“Our troops carried the cadaver of one male NPA killed during the encounter. It was handed over to the barangay council of Jaliobong for identification. It was then transported to a funeral parlor in Cabadbaran City for proper disposition,” Matulac said.

This is the second armed confrontation between the forces of 29IB and the NPA insurgents in Kitcharao town in the last six days.

Last July 17, the 29IB troopers also engaged the NPA rebels in Barangay Mahayhay who were planning to sabotage the “Bike for Justice and Peace” activity.

In that encounter, the NPA rebels also fired upon the civilian houses in Mahayhay that prompted residents to seek safe refuge in a barangay center.

The 29IB condemned the NPA for their plan to disrupt the Bike for Justice and Peace activity and the shooting of civilian houses that caused fear among the residents in the area.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148034