By Mike Crismundo
CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two Communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists (CNTs) were reportedly killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were believed wounded in a fierce gun battle erupted with government forces early Friday morning in Little Baguio area, Barangay Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte province, military reported Saturday.
Identities of the slain rebels were not immediately known, a field report said.
A sketchy report reaching here also stated that troops of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion (30th IB) recovered from the scene of gunbattle one AK 47 rifle, One M16 Armalite rifle and assorted live ammunition.
Initial report received here said that elements of the 30th IB were on patrol at around 4 a.m. Friday in the far-flung Little Baguio area when they encountered the NPA group.
After an encounter lasting an hour and 30 minutes, the terrorists reportedly withdrew, according to the flash report of the 30th IB.
The Communists rebels were said to be members of SPP 16-C Guerilla Front Committee 16 of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
As of press time, pursuit operation against the fleeing CNTs is still ongoing in the forested and mountainous Little Baguio area, it also said.
There was no reported casualty on the government side.