ILOILO CITY – Two New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with the 61st Infantry Battalion in Leon town, Iloilo province on Saturday, July 29.
“We condole with the bereaved families of the two rebels,” said Lt. Col. Arturo Balgos Jr., acting 61st IB commander, following the five-minute firefight in Sitio Pagas, Barangay Ayabang.
Troops recovered two shotguns, an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, an anti-personnel landmine, an NPA flag, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
Balgos lauded residents for reporting the extortion of these communist guerrillas under the NPA Panay Southern Front Committee.
“We thank the people for giving us the needed information for this successful operation,” said Balgos.
The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has called on NPA rebels to surrender and join the fold of mainstream society with government-funded programs.
“But for those who insist on being a terrorist, sooner than later, you will cease to exist. You cannot hide in the long arms of the law. The Army will keep on hunting you," warned Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commanding general.