In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Female NPA rebel killed in Surigao Norte clash

By Alexander Lopez

July 21, 2020, 2:21 pm

<p><strong>NPA CASUALTY.</strong> The body of an unidentified female member of the communist New People’s Army is abandoned by her comrades following an encounter with government troops on Monday (July 20, 2020) in the hinterlands of Barangay Camp Edward, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. Army officials called on the remaining rebels to surrender and avail of the government's livelihood program for rebel returnees. <em>(Photo courtesy of 30IB)</em></p>

NPA CASUALTY. The body of an unidentified female member of the communist New People’s Army is abandoned by her comrades following an encounter with government troops on Monday (July 20, 2020) in the hinterlands of Barangay Camp Edward, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. Army officials called on the remaining rebels to surrender and avail of the government's livelihood program for rebel returnees. (Photo courtesy of 30IB)

BUTUAN CITY – A female New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed during the 30-minute encounter with government troops in the Surigao del Norte town of Alegria on Monday, an Army official said.

Lt. Col. Ryan Charles G. Gallanta, commander of the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB), said the firefight broke out in Barangay Camp Edward, Alegria, as government troops were on a security patrol following civilian reports on the presence of NPA rebels who were allegedly extorting money from villagers early Monday morning.

In a statement Tuesday, Gallanta said the rebels are believed to be part of the Guerrilla Front-16 of the NPA's Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The NPA had yet to be identified, he said, adding two soldiers were slightly wounded during the firefight.

Gallanta said government troops recovered from the encounter site three AK 47 rifles, a Spike Tactical M16 rifle with scope, five improvised explosive devices, three C5 and two C4 explosives, assorted medical supplies, high-value subversive documents and personal belongings of the rebels.

“The lives of our soldiers are always at stake, but it is our job to protect the communities from terrorist abuse,” Gallanta said, as he expressed gratitude to the villagers for providing the Army with "real-time information" on the rebels' presence.

"Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the female NPA who was killed during the armed engagement. Another life is lost fighting for this failed ideology of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs),” the Army official said.

He also urged the remaining NPA rebels in the area to lay down their arms, return to the fold of the law, and avail of the government's reintegration program.

In a separate statement Tuesday, Col. George L. Banzon, Army's 901st Infantry Brigade commander, also thanked the villagers "who provided us with accurate information to prevent the communist terrorist group (CTG) from their terroristic activities"

Banzon said the residents in rebel-infested areas are "are already fed up with the wrongdoings of the NPA rebels."

 “Our operation will continue and we will not stop in our quest to ensure the safety and security of the communities that are terrorized by these CTGs,” Banzon said.

The NPA is listed as terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

Comments