PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- A soldier and a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel were killed in a firefight with government forces in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte, the military reported.
Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed the firefight took place at around 8:34 p.m. Saturday in Barangay San Isidro, Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.
Patria said the clash broke out while his troops led by 1Lt. Abner Pilando conducted a strike operation following the reported presence of a group of NPA rebels in Barangay San Isidro.
Patria said the clash lasted for about 15 minutes that resulted in the death of a soldier and a rebel after which the rest of the NPA rebels scampered to different directions.
He said the slain NPA member, whose remains were left behind by his comrades, was not immediately identified. An AK-47 assault rifle was also recovered at the clash site.
The name of the slain soldier was withheld pending notice to his family.
Patria said the NPA rebels were harassing the civilians when the clash ensued.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, condemned in the strongest terms the continued atrocities of NPAs against the hapless civilians.
“Our soldier died a hero while protecting our people and our communities. We will vigorously pursue these NPA terrorists until they will be left with no choice but surrender or get killed,” Murillo said.
“The cooperation of the civilians who reported the armed group’s presence in their area is a strong manifestation that civilians have long been tired of these NPA’s terroristic activities in forms of extortion and harassment,” he added. (PNA)
