3 NPA rebels killed, firearms seized in Agusan Sur skirmish

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16, 2021): 3 NPA rebels killed, firearms seized in Agusan Sur skirmish (By Alexander Lopez)

RECOVERED FIREARMS. Troops under the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion recover firearms, ammunition, and explosives following a clash with the communist New People’s Army in Barangay Zillovia, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, on Monday (Feb. 15, 2021). Three rebels were killed during the encounter. (Photo courtesy of 402Bde)

Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government troops in the Agusan del Sur town of Talacogon, an official said Tuesday.

Maj. Francisco P. Garello, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade (402Bde), said Monday's five-minute clash in Barangay Zillovia, Talacogon, resulted in the seizure of high-power firearms, explosives, and ammunition by government troops under the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion.

“The troops from 26IB under the operational control of 402Bde clashed against more or less seven CPP-NPA Terrorist believed to be members of Guerilla Front 88 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC),” Garello said.

CPP stands for the Communist Party of the Philippines which, along with the NPA, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Garello said authorities were still trying to determine the identities of the slain rebels.

Brig. Gen. Maurito L. Licudine, 402Bde commander, denounced the NPA for "pestering the communities in the area."

“This victory is for the people who for the longest time wanted to live without the intimidation and threat from the NPA terrorists. We urge the CNT (Communist NPA Terrorist) to stop using violence as it will not solve our problems,” Licudine said.

He also offered sympathies to the families of the NPA rebels killed during the skirmish and assured that the remains of their loved ones would be turned over properly

“We want to assure the CNTs that our troops will be relentless in pursuing them, there is no other way for them but to lay down their arms or continue hiding and be hunted. It’s their choice but we insist that they follow the path of peace for the sake of their families and for the people who longed to live normal lives in peace,” Licudine said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1130765