2 Reds killed in Agusan del Sur clash

July 14, 2019

Two alleged members of the New People’s Army were killed in an encounter with the government troops in Agusan del Sur last Saturday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Datuin, commanding officer of 75th Infantry Marauder Battalion, said the clashed transpired around 3:45pm after NPA members fired at patrolling soldiers at Barangay Bunawan Brook in Agusan del Sur.

Datuin said troops were conducting security operations in the area due to the reports of the residents on the presence of armed men, collecting money and food, at Sitio Sta. Monica.

He said the 15-minute firefight resulted to the death of the two rebels while there were no reported casualties on the government side.

Authorities were able to recover one Norinco AK 47 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one Cal. 45 pistol, one hand grenade, empty magazines of AK47 and M16, backpacks and personal items.

“Without the efforts of the residents themselves in giving us timely and accurate information, we cannot pinpoint the exact location of these terrorists. And because of that, we were able to decisively engage them, stopping them on their extortion activities to the residents, and preventing them to conduct more atrocities in my Area of Operations (AOR),” said Datuin.

Based on the report, the two rebels belonged to the NPA’s Weakened Guerilla Front 14 under Arnold Orlanes Conejar alias Jorlan. The group is operating in the boundary municipalities of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. Ella Dionisio/DMS