Alleged NPA member killed in encounter with military in Surigao del Sur

February 21, 2019

An alleged member of New People’s Army (NPA) who belongs to the Mamanwa tribe was killed in a 30-minute encounter with the military in Surigao del Sur last Tuesday.

Cpt. Regie Go, public affairs officer of the 4th Infantry Division, said troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion encountered the rebels in the vicinity of Sitio Puyawon, Barangay Mahanub, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte around 10 am.

“The government troops were conducting focused military operations to go after the NPA terrorists who are threatening isolated barangays in Caraga when a concerned barangay folk revealed the location of the NPAs due to  extortion and threats in their community,” he said.

Go said soldiers recovered a dead rebel along with one M16 rifle, three magazines loaded with ammunition, one anti-personnel mine, one blasting cap, five meters’ wire, five meters’ utility rope and personal belongings.

“It was learned that the dead NPA is a... member of Mamanwa tribe living in the hinterland of Surigao del Norte,” he said.

Brig. General Franco Nemesio Gacal,  commander of 4th Infantry Division, said the NPAs are exploiting indigenous people.

“We are saddened that another NPA who is an IP member died due to the wrong indoctrination made by the terrorist NPA. It is really unfortunate that the CPP-NPA continuously recruit, deceive and exploit our IP brothers” he said. Robina Asido/DMS