25 NPA rebels killed in govt ops

Posted to the Manila Times (Jul 24, 2023): 25 NPA rebels killed in govt ops (By Cris Diaz)

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City: State forces killed 25 communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels, captured one and apprehended three others during encounters from Jan. 30, 2023 to June 30, 2023, a military report said on Saturday.

Of the 25 dead, 18 were high-value targets, nine were top commanders and officers while nine others were combatants, Maj. Francisco Garello, chief of the Philippine Army's Division of Public Affairs Office, said.

Garello also said the military captured 158 high-powered firearms and 22 low-powered firearms during the sustained military offensive from January to June this year.

He added that the military offensive also led to the surrender of 135 communist members coming from various NPA commands within the area of responsibility of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID).

The assessment was presented during the 2nd quarterly command conference in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City, end of June 2023.

In response, Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo 2nd, commander of the 4ID, ordered the whole Joint Task Force Diamond to increase its operation for the total downfall of the communist rebels in Northern Mindanao.

Cuerpo said an intensified operation is necessary to deny the communist rebels the opportunity to regain mass bases, increase manpower, and reinvigorate resources through recruitment and alleged extortion activities.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/07/24/regions/25-npa-rebels-killed-in-govt-ops/1902040