RECOVERED. Government troops recover two AK-47 assault rifles and other personal belongings following a clash Monday (May 11, 2020) that saw the death of two New People's Army rebels in Sitio Pisyo, Barangay Balonai, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. The troops were on combat patrol when they clashed with a group of NPA rebels. (Photo courtesy of the 53rd Infantry Battalion)
PAGADIAN CITY – Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in the Zamboanga del Sur town of Midsalip, officials said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said the gun battle that occurred at 11:05 a.m. Monday in Sitio Pisyo, Barangay Balonai, Midsalip ensued as the troops chanced upon a group of NPA rebels while on combat patrol.
Herrera said the troops recovered the two NPA casualties after the 15-minute firefight, along with two AK-47 assault rifles, two bandoliers with magazines, ammunition, and a backpack.
He said there was no reported casualty among the troops.
“This (clash) would not have been possible without the information provided by concerned citizens of the enemy presence in their communities,” he said. “The people are already taking proactive roles in denouncing the terroristic acts of the NPAs in their barangays.”
Col. Leonel Nicholas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops are tracking down the fleeing NPA rebels.
“We call on the public to remain vigilant and report to the government forces the presence of suspicious-looking people in their communities,” said Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, Joint Task Force ZamPeLan (the Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), commended the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan troops for their "remarkable accomplishments" amid 2019 coronavirus disease crisis.
The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
