The firearms of slain communist rebels. (Photo from 603rd Infantry Brigade)
ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Three communist rebels were killed in a clash with government forces Thursday (March 2) in the hinterlands of Sen. Ninoy Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat province.
Government forces also recovered four M-16 Armalite rifles, grenades and ammunition and personal belongings from the slain New Peoples’ Army guerillas following a brief firefight in Barangay Banali at about 5 a.m., according to Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade based in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
No casualty was reported on the government side. Involved in the operation were elements of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB).
Lt. Colonel Frederick Chicote, 7th IB battalion commander, said the remains of three slain rebels were turned over to the local government officials of Sen. Ninoy Aquino so they can be claimed by their relatives.
The rebels belonged to Guerilla Front 73 operating in the adjoining provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani.
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