Alleged NPA killed in clash with military in Misamis Oriental

November 4, 2020

An alleged member of New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government troops in Misamis Oriental on Tuesday morning.

1st Lt. Jefferson Mariano, civil military operations officer of the 58th Infantry Battalion, said troops under 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion and 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) encountered the rebels at Sitio Roa-roa, Brgy Umagos, Lagonglong municipality.

The ten-minute clash resulted to the killing of a rebel who was identified as Relly Sereño alias Ems or H-Boy, a resident of Brgy Banglay, Lagonglong  and the platoon medic of ADA, Huawei, Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC 1), Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).

Mariano said Sereño is a brother of Brenda Sereño alias Sayrel who was killed last August 13  during an encounter with the government troops at Brgy Bal-ason, Gingoog City where her body was left behind.

"Around 11:28 a.m., the government troops while conducting focused military operation following the information given by the threatened civilians encountered more or less 15 members of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs)," he said.

"The enemy withdrew towards southwest direction while the government troops recovered from the encounter site one Cal.22 rifle, one rifle grenade, one hand grenade, five M14 magazines loaded with ammo, one Cignus radio with two batteries, four solar panels, five backpacks, medical paraphernalia, personal belongings and subversive documents," he added.

Mariano said the "currently, the government troops are still in pursuit and clearing the possible withdrawal routes of fleeing rebels."

Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Ricky Canatoy, commanding officer of 58th IB expressed sympathies to the family of the slain rebel.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. It is sad that another fellow Filipino who was deceived by the CTGs died for fighting the wrong ideology," he said. Robina Asido/DMS