The rebels’ firearms and personal belongings. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO (From the Army’s 603rd brigade)
MANILA, Philippines — Six alleged members of the communist New People’s Army were killed in an armed encounter at Barangay Chua, Bagumbayan town in Sultan Kudarat on Thursday, the Philippine Army said.
Lt. Col. Frederick Chicote, Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry Battalion, said his troops figured in a 24-minute firefight with around 10 NPA members.
The slain rebels were identified as Dennis Dolunan, allegedly an executive committee member of Deputy Secretary of East Daguma Front remnants of Sub-Regional Command Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region; Lailyn alias Aira, an alleged NPA medic who was also reportedly Dolunan’s wife; Sep Kasa; and Jerry Kasa. Two others were still unidentified as of this writing.
No casualties were reported on the government side, the Army said.
Government troops seized one AK47, three M16 rifles, three bandoliers, and other personal items from the alleged NPA members.
Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, acting chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the recent clash showed that the capabilities of the guerrilla forces had been “significantly degraded.”
In a military report, Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of Joint Task Force Central, said a series of encounters had transpired at Sitios Sandigan and Mudti of Barangay Chua before the clash. With reports from Edwin O. Fernandez and Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
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