Soldiers encounter alleged NPAs in North Cotabato hours after ceasefire lapses

January 9, 2020

Soldiers encountered alleged members of New People's Army (NPA) in North Cotabato hours after the ceasefire has lapsed on Wednesday.

Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said the troops of the 7th Infantry Battalion clashed with an undetermined number of communist NPA terrorists in Sitio Pahidlat, Barangay Latagan, Matalam on Wednesday morning.

"The 10-minute firefight resulted in the recovery of one 45 caliber pistol, three cellular phones, two motorcycles, two backpacks, eight jungle hammocks, and other personal belongings," he said.

Encinas said government forces are still conducting clearing and pursuit operations against the rebels.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, "urge each and every citizen to continuously support us in all our endeavors not only for ourselves but for the common good."

“As the new decade begins, we are further intensifying our relentless efforts against the different threat groups in our area of operations,” he said.

The ceasefire started 12 am of December 23 lapsed on January 7, 2020. Robina Asido/DMS