By Alexander Lopez / Philippine News Agency
BUTUAN CITY – Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter in Surigao del Sur on Tuesday (Sept. 21), the Cantilan Municipal Police Station reported Wednesday (Sept. 22).
The clash took place in the mountainous area of Sitio Agsam, Barangay Cabas-an in Cantilan past 5 p.m.
“The 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) of the Army informed this police station that their troops were conducting combat operations in the area when they encountered around 10 members of Communist Terrorist Group,” the local police said.
It added that the rebels belong to Guerrilla Front 30, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA led by a certain Alias Mega.
After the 10-minute skirmish, the rebels scampered and abandoned their position leaving behind two of their wounded comrades.
The 36IB troopers brought the wounded rebels to Madrid District Hospital in the town of Madrid but were declared dead by the attending physician.
Authorities, with the help of the local officials in the area, are still determining the identities of the slain rebels.
The encounter happened just hours after a separate encounter took place in Tago, Surigao del Sur Tuesday noon that resulted in the death of an NPA rebel and the confiscation of high-powered firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
READ MORE: NPA rebel killed in Surigao Sur clash
The Communist Party of the Philippines-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) -bny
