Alleged NPA killed in Surigao del Norte

July 21, 2020

A woman who is allegedly a member of New People's Army was killed while two soldiers were wounded in a 30-minute encounter in Surigao del Norte on Monday morning.

According to the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion, the troops were conducting security patrol when they were fired upon by the rebels believed to be members of Sentro De Grabedad, Guerilla Front16, NorthEastern Mindanao Regional Committee in the hinterland of Camp Edward, Alegria municipality.

Government forces were responding to the reported presence of armed men who were allegedly extorting food and money from the people in the community when the clash took place.

Troops also recovered three AK 47 rifles, one Spike Tactical M16 with scope, five improvised explosive devices, explosives, assorted medical supplies, eighteen backpacks with personal belongings and high value subversive documents from the encounter site.

Lt Col Ryan Charles Callanta, commanding officer of 30th IB, recognized the cooperation  of the civilian  population who reported the presence of the rebels in the area.

“The life of our soldiers are always at stake, but it is our job to protect the communities from terrorist abuse. The success of this operation might not have been realized without the support of the community particularly for providing real time information that led to this armed engagement”, he said.

"Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, another life has been lost within this failed ideology. I urge the remaining armed members to lay down their arms and return to the folds of law and avail the government's reintegration program to avoid the same fate that happened to their peer," Callanta added. Robina Asido/DMS