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1 NPA killed, 5 firearms seized in MisOr encounter

By Danilo Adorador, III

February 23, 2019, 6:55 pm

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental -- A New People's Army (NPA) rebel was killed during an encounter with government troops on Saturday morning in the borders of the Misamis Oriental towns of Talisayan and Medina.

Lt. Col. Roy Derilo, commander of the Army's 58th Infantry Battalion, said the troops also recovered five high-powered firearms from the encounter site.

Pursuit operations is ongoing as of posting time, Derilo said, adding that the clash took place around 10 a.m.

“Our relentless operations in the remote areas are meant to drive the NPA terrorists away from communities so their imposition of permit-to-campaign and permit-to-win fees on candidates for the upcoming elections will be ineffective and useless,” Derilo said.

On Feb. 18, an NPA member was also killed during pursuit operations by the Army's Special Forces in Lantapan, Bukidnon.

In both instances, Derilo said the Army found the location of the rebels through civilian tip-off.

Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Army's 403rd Brigade, said “civilians are tipping off precise locations of NPA terrorist hideouts and their activities as they declare the CPP-NPA as "persona non grata" or undesirable people."

De Leon's command covers Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin provinces. (PNA)

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