Alleged NPA killed in clash with troops in Zamboanga del Norte

July 11, 2020

A alleged member of New People's Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government troops in Zamboanga del Norte on Friday afternoon.

Capt. Clint Antipala,  public affairs chief of the 1st Infantry Division, said the firefight occurred at the vicinity of Purok 5, Barangay Batayan, Kalawit municipality.

He said the combined elements of 44th, 97th and 42nd infantry battalions  were responding to a reported presence  of armed individuals when they encountered the armed men.

Antipala said the troops also recovered high powered firearms at the encounter site.

"The 45-minute firefight incurred no casualties on the government side and the capture of one M16 and one AK47 assault rifles, medicines, various magazines and ammunition, terrorist propaganda materials and personal belongings," he said.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, commanding officer of the 44th IB, said that, "this engagement has been made possible with the continued pursuit operations that the unit has relentlessly executed since March 1, 2020 and the continued trust and support of the locals."

"Five encounters were recorded before this incident, which transpired in Godod and Leon B Postigo, Zambonga del Norte, to include the series of communist terrorist group violation on declaration of ceasefire during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis last months of March to April 2020 in Kabasalan and Siay, both in Zamboanga Sibugay Province," he said.

Antipala said Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, who has operational jurisdiction of Zamboanga del Norte urged fleeing members of the communist group to return to the folds of law.

"The people of Zamboanga del Norte are now in unison in their resolve that all CTGs are not welcomed in their ancestral domains, lands and communities through the declaration of Persona Non Grata," Nicolas said.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division lauded the troops of 102nd Brigade.

"The Tabak Division will continue with its pursuit against these CTGs as we sustain our partnership with our stakeholders through the Local Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) for the implementation of developmental projects in conflict-affected areas in Western Mindanao," he added. Robina Asido/DMS