LAGUNA -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) under Platun 2 YGM code-named Narciso died during an encounter with government forces at the vicinity of Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan town, on Sunday.

Report said that the troops belonging to the 1st Infantry Battalion (1IB) were conducting Focused Military Operations (FMO) when they chanced upon more or less 15 fully armed rebels that resulted to exchange of gunfires.

After the brief firefight, an unidentified NPA combatant lay dead and advancing government troops recovered an M16 rifle, magazines with ammunitions, empty shells, three jungle packs containing subversive documents and personal belongings of the communist terrorists.

No one was injured on the government troop’s side.

According to Brig. Gen. Cerilo C Balaoro Jr., commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, the troops took action due to the complaints of residents in the said barangay about the presence of NPA members in their community who were foraging and extorting food stuffs and other supplies from them.

“Said encounter is a result of the cooperation and convergence of agencies comprising Task Force ELCAC from provincial down to barangay level that emboldened the community to act accordingly on the presence of terrorist groups in their locality,” said BGen. Balaoro Jr.

“This only shows that the people even in the far-flung communities are no longer supporting the cause of the CPP-NPA terrorist and we truly appreciate it," added Balaoro.

"We also extend our deep condolences to the bereaved family of the fallen NPA member who was exploited and influenced to tread a path to violence. As such, I would like to reiterate my call on the remaining NPA members to return to the folds of the law and live a peaceful life with their family", said Balaoro.

Balaoro said the Army is still conducting operations in collaboration with the PNP, local government and the local populace to persuade the remaining NPA terrorists in Laguna province and even in neighboring provinces to surrender, because their presence is the primary reason that hinders peace and development in some parts of CALABARZON.

It can be recalled that on February 21, an armed encounter also happened at Sitio Saging, Brgy Binibitinan, Polillo, Quezon which also resulted in the death of an NPA cadre and the capture of war materials and subversive documents.