CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Troops killed a New People’s Army rebel and recovered two assault rifles during an encounter in Kalamansig town, Sultan Kudarat province on Thursday, July 27. In a statement on Friday, July 28, Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, commander of the 37th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the gun battle erupted after his troops chanced upon 20 NPA guerillas at about 3 p.m. in Barangay Limulan. “A dead rebel was abandoned by his comrades who fled at the height of the 20-minute firefight,” Baldomar said, noting that there were no casualties on the government side. He said hours earlier, the troops found an abandoned NPA lair in Barangay Limulan that could accommodate about 30 persons. Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, lauded the 37th IB for their relentless campaign against those who still fight a lost cause using violence. Santos said two M14 rifles were found after the firefight. “We will continue to hunt the remaining NPA (rebels) in the mountains of Kalamansig,” he said. Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division (ID), has reiterated his appeal for the remaining guerillas to avail of the government’s offer for reconciliation and the opportunity to lead peaceful lives. Since January, the 6th ID has neutralized 40 communist rebels, five of whom were arrested, 11 were killed, and 24 voluntarily surrendered.