Two alleged NPAs killed in Agusan del Sur

May 2, 2020

Two alleged members of New People's Army (NPA) were killed while one soldier was wounded in a series of encounters in Agusan del Sur on Thursday night.


Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said the clashes occurred at the vicinity of Sitio Mahayon-hayon, Brgy. Guibonon, Esperanza around 10:30 pm.


Balagtey said the first  encounter transpired in the afternoon of April 30, 2020, when troops responded to a report on the presence of an undetermined number of NPAs being monitored in the area.


"The seven-minute skirmish caused injury to SSg. Joseph E. Hulibayan who led the patrol," he said.


Balagtey said despite the injury, Hulibayan led the pursuit and re-engaged the fleeing NPAs at about 10:30 in the evening.


"The 20-minute exchange of gunfire caused the NPAs to scamper to different directions leaving behind two dead bodies from the terrorist group," he said.


"The troops also seized two M16 rifles, one AK47 rifle, bandoliers, magazines, and ammunition," he added.


Balagtey said "coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Local Government Unit of Esperanaza is presently being undertaken by 26th IB under Ltc. Romeo Jimenea for the identification and turn-over of the two NPA cadavers."


Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay,  Army commanding general, commands the troops for the successful operation.


"Despite being wounded in an earlier firefight, our enlisted personnel displayed competence and effective leadership as they focused on their mission," he said.


"We can clearly see how the empowerment of our non-commissioned officers have bolstered their dependability and dedication to duty. The Army leadership commends them for a job well done," he added.


In a separate instance, Balagtey said "patroling members of 39th IB and Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) also figured in a series of encounters against an undetermined number of NPAs at vicinity of Brgy. Tuburan, Tulunan, Cotabato on April 30, 2020".


"No casualty was reported on both sides in the said encounters," he said.


Major Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, directed the units to intensify security operations. Robina Asido/DMS