NPA rebel killed in clash

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Dec 26, 2022): NPA rebel killed in clash

A NEW People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur province, the military reported Monday, December 26, 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel Terence Ylanan, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the clash happened in the morning of Christmas Day, December 25, at Purok 2 in Saad village, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ylanan said the slain NPA rebel was identified as Martino Ayas of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Recovered from Ayas were an M16A1 rifle with short magazine loaded with 15 live ammunition, a cellular phone, a sling bag with malong and tobacco.

Ylanan said the clash broke out when the troops chanced upon the group of Ayas while checking the reported presence of a group of NPA rebels at Purok 2 in Saad village.

He said that Ayas and his companions were recruiting some of the residents of Saad village to join the NPA movement.

Instead of joining, the residents reported to the 53IB about their presence in the village.

“The communist terrorists (NPA) maybe trying to reinfect Zambooanga del Sur, but the people are no longer easily deceived,” he said.

Ayas’ comrades fled to the hinterlands are being tracked down by the troops.

 
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1949409/zamboanga/local-news/npa-rebel-killed-in-clash