By Armando Fenequito
DAVAO CITY --- An alleged deputy secretary of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in a firefight in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, early Monday morning.
The slain rebel identified by the 71st Infantry Battalion as Cindy Terado alias Jill, deputy secretary of Guerilla Front, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of NPA.
10th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Jerry Lamosao said based on the report, the 71st IB received information from a concerned citizen that the rebel group led by Jay Mendoza alias Jay Pogs who was the live-in partner of Terado, spotted in Barangay Canocotan around 4:00 a.m.of April 15.
After the information has been confirmed, a combined law enforcement operation was launched to serve the warrant of arrest against alias Jay Pogs in their safe house in the area.
The said leader has a standing warrant of arrest for Serious Illegal Detention.
When the troops approached the area, the undetermined number rebels fired at which resulted to five minutes gun battle.
During the encounter Terado who was armed with an M16 rifle killed while her comrades left here and escape.
Lamosao said the troops also recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in the area along with cellphone, residuals of drug paraphernalia and subversive documents.
There were also white envelopes believed to be material for extortion were seen inside the house.
The body of Terado is now under the custody of Tagum City Police Station for proper disposition while a pursuit operation is still ongoing.