PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in Midsalip town of Zamboanga del Sur on Monday, the military said.
Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, commander of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Brigade, said the guerrillas, who are yet to be identified, were slain in a 15-minute firefight in Barangay Balonai.
Herrera added that civilians alerted the military of the rebels’ presence in the community.
After the brief encounter, soldiers recovered two AK47 assault rifles, two bandoliers with magazines and ammunition and a backpack.
Government troops pursued the fleeing rebels, said Herrera.
He cited the local people’s courage in standing up against the communist rebels through sharing information about their movements in the communities.
“This would not have been possible without the information provided by concerned citizens of the enemy presence in their communities,” Herrera noted.
Herrera disclosed that the cadavers of the dead rebels were transported from the area of the clash so these can be identified by relatives and given a decent burial.