By Mike Crismundo
CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two Communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists were killed, while an undetermined number of other rebels were believed wounded, in a fierce gun battle Sunday with troops of the 75th Infantry (Marauder) Battallion (75th IB) in Barangay Bunawan Brook, Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur province, Capt. Edwin Leo J. Francisco, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 75th IB said.
Shown in photos are the war materials seized by the elements of the Army’s 75th Infantry (Marauder) Battallion during gunbattle with undetermined communist insurgents on Sunday in Barangay Bunawan Brook, Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur province. (Photos courtesy of 401st Brigade-CMO/Manila Bulletin)
The 75th IB CMO officer told The Manila Bulletin on Monday that the gun battle took place while the soldiers conducting security operations due to the reports of concerned citizens on the presence of armed men in Sitio Sta. Monica, Bunawan Brook, allegedly collecting money and food from the residents.
“A 15-minute fierce gunbattle erupted at 3:45 in the afternoon (Sunday) after the NPA fired upon the patrolling soldiers while clearing the vicinity of the Sitio Sta. Monica which resulted to the death of two terrorists and wounding undetermined number of other rebels,” Francisco said.
After sensing that they were already outgunned and outpositioned, the rebels hastily made their escape, dragging along with them an undetermined numbers of wounded compatriots the 75th IB CMO officer claimed.
They also left behind their two dead comrades.
Operating troops initially seized in the scene of gunbattle one Norinco AK 47 rifle, one M16A1 Armalite rifle, one Cal. 45 pistol, one hand grenade, empty magazines of AK47 rifle and M16 rifle, assorted empty and live ammunitions and backpacks containing personal items, he said.
There was no reported casualty on the government side, it said.