NPA ITEMS. Military forces in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat recovered a rifle, a pistol, and other war materiel from two slain communist rebels on Thursday. (Photo from 6th Infantry Division)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte — Military authorities in this camp announced Friday the killings of two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) after an operation Thursday in Barangay Salansang, Lebak town, Sultan Kudarat province.
Lieutenant Colonel Guillermo Mabute Jr., commanding officer of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, said the operation against 15 rebels in Sitio Laman of Barangay Salangsang was conducted after villagers complained of being “taxed” by the guerrillas.
“The residents complained of massive extortion activities by the rebels,” Mabute said.
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Brigadier General Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the slain rebels belonged to the Sub-Regional Command Daguma of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region.
Recovered from the slain rebels were one M16 rifle, one caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, various ammunition, and other war materials.
Major General Alex S. Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, lauded the soldiers for the successful operation even as he called on the remaining communist rebels to rejoin the mainstream.
“We will be relentless in our decisive military operations in Sultan Kudarat and its nearby provinces,” Rillera said.