Two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) fighters were killed during an armed encounter with the military in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on Monday, Nov. 14.


Elements of the 58th Infantry Battalion (58 IB) were conducting combat operations in Sitio Tapol, Brgy. Kibanban in Balingasag town when they allegedly clashed with around 10 armed men, according to 58 IB civil-military operations officer First Lt. Vincent Mark Maddul.
Maddul said the gunmen are believed to be remnants of the dismantled Platoon Falcon of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee (SRC), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC).
The encounter lasted for 10 minutes before the enemies made good of their escape. But troops found two bodies at the encounter site while they were conducting clearing operations. The military has started procedures to identify the cadavers.
The troops also recovered an M16 rifle, an M653 rifle, a caliber .22 riffle, three backpacks, personal belongings of the rebels, and assorted medical paraphernalia.