3 NPA rebels, soldier slain in Sultan Kudarat clash
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and a soldier were killed during a fierce firefight in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat province before dawn Thursday, the Philippine Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) said in a report.
Lt. Col. Christopherson Capuyan, 37th IB commander, said his soldiers were conducting military operations in Barangay Datu Ito Andong, Kalamansig town at past midnight when they clashed with a group of communist rebels led by NPA commander Eusivio Cranzo.
“After two hours of fighting, the rebels retreated deep into the forest and left three of their companions with their three rifles,” he said in the report.
A soldier was critically wounded and expired before reaching a medical facility in Kalamansig, he added.
Soldiers recovered three M16 rifles, ammunition, and personal belongings of the slain guerrillas.
“A member of 37th IB has offered his life in protecting the country and the civilians against the rebels,” Capuyan said, declining to identify the fallen soldier pending notification to his family.
Brig. Gen. Michael A. Santos, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, who has operational jurisdiction over the 37th IB, has directed other Army units to intensify the manhunt against other NPA groups in the borders of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. (PNA)