Alleged NPA member killed in Bukidnon

February 29, 2020

An alleged high-ranking member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government troops in Bukidnon on Friday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said the clash occured at the vicinity of Sitio Lamparuc, Barangay Sampagar, Damulog.

Lt. Colonel Oscar Partuza, commanding officer of 3rd Infantry Battalion, said killed was Eduardo Arnado alias Choi, deputy secretary of Guerilla Front 53 (GF 53) and concurrent head extortionist of NPA groups in North Cotabato, northern part of Davao del Sur and southern Bukidnon.

Balagtey said the government forces were conducting security operations following the reported presence of the armed group within the community when clash transpired.

"The NPAs scampered to different directions after 10 minutes exchange of fire, leaving the dead body of Arnado," he said.

Balagtey said the government troops also recovered one caliber .45 pistol with magazine and ammunition, spent shells from various high powered firearms, subversive documents and personal belongings left by fleeing NPA members.

He also mentioned that Mayor Melino Buro of Damulog municipality checked the well being of the residents in the area while the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) processed the encounter site. Robina Asido/DMS