BUTUAN CITY – Two leaders of the CPP-NPA were killed in a gunbattle in Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan town, Bukidnon province on Monday, March 10, the military reported Thursday, March 13.
Major Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commanding general of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, identified the fatalities as Alab, secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee Headquarters Loader for Sub-regional Committee 2, and Ejel, supply officer of the RSDG Compaq of the CPP-NPA NCMRC.
Recovered in the encounter were one M653 rifle, two M16 Armalite rifles, one Bushmaster AR15 rifle, ammunition, and other war materials.
The 1st Special Forces Batallion under the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade engaged the communist rebels while responding to reports from residents about their persistent presence in the area.
Soldiers are pursuing the fleeing NPA and no casualty was reported on the government side.
"We will remain determined in our efforts to significantly reduce the capabilities of these terrorist criminals to harass innocent civilians,” Anayron said.
“As the CTG continues to lose key leaders and more members, we will continue our pursuit until they are defeated. With the support of our civilian population and partner stakeholders under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, we will not rest until this decades-long issue is resolved."