2 suspected NPA rebels killed in Agusan del Norte clash

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — Two suspected communist rebels were killed following a fierce gunfight with government forces in a Butuan City village on Saturday.

Col. Maurito Licudine, commander of the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, said soldiers had seized two AK-47 and two M653 rifles left behind by the rebels after the gunfight.

Licudine said the rebels carried away the body of one of the dead while the one that was left behind were turned over to village officials for burial.

He said the intense 10-minute firefight started when a platoon of soldiers ran into a group of about 20 NPA rebels in Sitio Salvacion, Barangay Bugabos of Butuan City in the morning of Saturday, Nov. 30, after which the rebels withdrew, carrying the body of one of their dead comrades.

The encounter came two days after an earlier firefight between soldiers and communist rebels in Jabonga town, Agusan del Norte.

Licudine said another platoon of soldiers encountered a band of NPA rebels, resulting in a 30-minute firefight in Jabonga town.

When they withdrew, the rebels left several rifles and rounds of ammunition behind, Licudine said.

Among the weapons seized were an M-14 and M4 rifles with grenade launchers, ammunition and electrical wires for improvised explosive devices, among others.

/atm