NPA loses 7 members, firearms in Caraga, NorMin

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2023): NPA loses 7 members, firearms in Caraga, NorMin (By Alexander Lopez)

SURRENDER. Six New People’s Army rebels yield to state forces in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Monday (Sept. 11, 2023), handing over five high-powered firearms. A separate clash resulted in the killing of a communist rebel in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)

BUTUAN CITY – The communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions faced setbacks following armed encounters with state forces and the surrender of six insurgents, military officials said.

“Two encounters were recorded on Monday, one in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, and another in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, which resulted in the death of an NPA insurgent and confiscation of three high-powered firearms,” Maj. Francisco Garello, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) civil-military operations office chief, said in a phone interview Tuesday.

Garello identified the slain NPA rebel as Dexter Maca, a member of Platoon 1 of the weakened NPA Guerilla Front 30, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

He was killed during an encounter with the troops of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion in Tandag City.

Government forces also recovered a Bushmaster rifle with ammunition at the encounter site.

Garello said Monday's clash in Barangay Mandahican, Cabanglasan town involved 10 NPA fighters under a unit of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

“Our troops recovered two high-powered firearms at the encounter site, including one AK47 rifle, a Garand rifle and assorted medical supplies,” he said.

The 4ID confirmed in another statement Tuesday the surrender of six NPA fighters under NPA Guerrilla Front 21 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

The group, who yielded also on Monday, handed over five high-powered firearms.

“The Army and the police will further intensify their operations to track and pursue remaining communist rebels in Caraga and Northern Mindanao,” Major Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4ID commander, said.

Last week, the 4ID already reported the recovery of an M16 rifle and an AK-47 rifle after an encounter in the hinterlands of Barangay Bagyang, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209722