
Two suspected New People's Army rebels died in an encounter with Philippine Army (PA) soldiers in Cawayan, Masbate on Monday, Feb. 5.
Col. Louie Dema-ala, PA spokesperson, said troops from the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division encountered around 10 armed men believed to be members of the Platoon 1, Komiteng Larangan Guerilla (KLG South), Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC4).
The troops were conducting security operations in Barangay Tuburan when they were met by gunfire from the rebels around 7 a.m., prompting them to retaliate.
Dema-ala said two rebels died in the encounter but their identities are yet to be confirmed as of this writing.
"[There was] no casualty on the government side," Dema-ala said.
Meanwhile, the engaged troops were still pursuing the other NPA rebels who fled.
Two firearms, war materiels, and other personal belongings were recovered by the troops at the encounter site.