A high-ranking officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) died while three others are now under military custody after a fierce gun battle in Quezon town of Bukidnon on Wednesday , April 10.
Brig. Gen. Marion Angcao, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said the clash erupted when his men chanced upon a small group of communist rebels in Purok 8 in Barangay Butong.
Alias Rica/Tomboy died as a result of the clash with Angcao saying that the fatality was a ranking officer of what was left of the Guerrilla Front 7 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
He said two other communist rebels were captured while the third surrendered a few hours later.
Seized after the clash were an M16 rifle with an attached M203 Grenade Launcher, anAK47 Rifle, an M1 Carbine Rifle, a Caliber 45 pistol, three backpacks, an anti-personnel mine, a hand grenade and two 40mm high explosives.
Citing background check, Angcao said alias Rica/Tomboy has several warrants of arrest for the crimes of murder, multiple attempted homicides, and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunitions.