Student recruit, 2 other communist rebels killed in Cagayan clash

From the Manila Times (May 5, 2023): Student recruit, 2 other communist rebels killed in Cagayan clash (By Franco Jose C. Baroña)

THREE members of the New People's Army (NPA), including a student who was allegedly recruited into the armed movement, were killed in an encounter with government forces in Cagayan on Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) reported on Friday.

Maj. Al Anthony Pueblas, acting Nolcom Public Information Office chief, said troops of the 501st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army's 5th Infantry Division encountered around 20 members of the Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan and Isabela, Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley at Sitio Bigoc in the village of Alucao, Sta Teresita Cagayan on May 3 resulting in the deaths of two NPA members and the recovery of two R4 rifles, one M16 rifle, and one M653 rifle during the clash.

Maj. Pueblas said one of those killed was Alyas Morga, who was identified as a student from the University of the Philippines (UP).

Based on reports, Morga attempted to escape from the terrorist group last January due to the hardships he experienced in the organization, but was unsuccessful due to unfamiliarity with the mountainous area of Hacienda Intal in Baggao, Cagayan. His attempt to escape was later discovered by his comrades.

In a separate incident, the 503rd Infantry Brigade encountered members of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Baggas, Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee, resulting in the death of one NPA member and the recovery of an M16 rifle.

Pueblas said as the troops were conducting clearing operations in Sitio Biguc on Wednesday, they were able to recover various enemy materials that included five magazines of M16, 122 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two commercial radios, two bandoliers, one power bank, one cooking pot, two backpacks, four cellphones, three chargers, eleven SIM cards, and subversive documents.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/05/news/student-recruit-2-other-communist-rebels-killed-in-cagayan-clash/1890051