DAVAO CITY - At least two members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed during an encounter with the troops of 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Saloy, Calinan District here on Wednesday, September 9.
In a statement, 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer Maj. Jerry Lamosao said the slain NPA members were believed to be under Guerilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Revolutionary Committee.
Lamosao said prior to the firefight, the troops responded to an information of some residents in the area about the presence of an armed group in Sitio Kanacan.
He said upon reaching the area for verification at around 11:30 a.m., soldiers from the 27th IB engaged the armed group in a firefight, resulting in the death of the still unidentified male NPA members.
The troops also captured an NPA member and seized three high-power firearms including an M16 rifle, M4 rifle, and an M14 rifle.
Lamosao said no civilian was hurt or displaced during the incident which transpired in a very remote and forested part of the said barangay.
Meanwhile, 1003rd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Nolasco A. Mempin extended his sympathy to the families of those who were killed. He also urged the NPAs to surrender to the government.