BUTUAN CITY – Two New People’s Army rebels were killed in an encounter with the 29^th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Dinakpan, Barangay Los Angeles, this city, on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

TROOPS recovered New People’s Army war materials in an encounter in Barangay Los Angeles, Butuan City, on Tuesday, Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of 29th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo) 

Army 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion Civil Military Operations officer 1^st Lt. Rose Ann Mae C. Alegre said soldiers were deployed to the area following reports about the presence of armed individuals extorting from residents.

Alegre said troops encountered members of Platoon 1, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabedad Westland of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. The communist rebels withdrew after a brief firefight and soldiers are pursuing the fleeing guerillas.

Troops recovered automatic rifles, bullets, medicines, and personal belongings in the encounter site. “Our troops also seized communist documents with high intelligence value,” Alegre said.

The bodies of slain rebels were turned over to local authorities for proper disposition.

Lt. Col. Mark Tabon, 29th IB commanding officer, thanked the people for informing them of the presence of the NPA. “In behalf of the 29th IB, I would like to thank the community for their vigilance against these armed group and for letting us know,” Tabon said.

“Let this serves as a message to those who continue to spread violence and fear: Choose peace, lay down arms, avail of the peaceful surrender package of the government and live with your families freely.”

“Those who endanger our people's safety will be addressed with unwavering resolve, and rest assured, we promote peace and prosperity to those who want it," Tabon said.