(davaotoday.com file photo by Ace R. Morandante)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The military claimed that four suspected members of the New People’s Army including a front secretary were killed in an encounter with government troops over the weekend.
Members of the 67th Infantry Battalion and the 104th Division Recon Company engaged members of NPAs Front 25 in Sitio 35, Barangay Taytayan, Cateel town in Davao Oriental around 1:30 am, Saturday. The troops recovered five high powered rifles including two M-16 and an M-14 rifles.
An encounter between government troops and the NPAs also ensued Sunday morning in Sitio Sayon, Barangay Kauswagan in Banaybanay town Davao Oriental.
Troops recovered high powered firearms, two magazines of AK47, ammunition and documents. A separate encounter happened in New Bataan town in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan town on Saturday afternoon between the Army and NPA Front 27.
The Army said the NPA’s “front secretary” was killed. Troops recovered high powered firearms, two magazines of AK47, ammunition and documents.
A separate encounter also happened in New Bataan town in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan town on Saturday afternoon between the Army and NPA Front 27.
The NPA has yet to issue a statement on the incident.
The recent skirmish between the government troops and the NPAs was the latest as the government peace panel issued a statement on Sunday afternoon not to undertake offensives against the NPA to pave way for the resumption of the fifth round of talks.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, on Saturday reiterated its position to unite with the government in the fight against local terrorist groups in Mindanao. The move was lauded by the GRP panel.
(davaotoday.com)
