BALER, Aurora — Two suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) were killed in an encounter with government forces in Barangay Villa Aurora, Maria Aurora, this province on Sunday.
This was confirmed on Monday by Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion commander Lt. Col. Jose Mari F. Torrenueva.
“The two members of communist terrorists group were killed during an encounter with the 91st Infantry Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army at 3:45 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Villa, Maria Aurora,” he said.
Torrenueva said a platoon headed by 2nd Lt. Hamilton D. Dawaton acted on a report from villagers regarding the extortion activities of the rebel group in their area.
He said when the government troops reached the place, the rebels, numbering about 20, immediately fired at them, prompting the soldiers to retaliate. Slain in the exchange of fire were two rebels whose identities were not yet available as of posting time.
No one was hurt among the government troops, according to Torrenueva.
He said the soldiers recovered one M653 rifle and one M16 rifle with an attached grenade launcher at the site of the encounter.
“Our forces will not stop hunting down those remaining CPP-NPA terrorists but will spare those who want to surrender,” Torrenueva said. (Jason De Asis/PNA)
