2 NPA guerillas die in Davao Sur encounter

Davao Region (Wikipedia map)

MATANAO, Davao del Sur—Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while a soldier was wounded following a clash in a hinterland village here on Monday morning.

Lt. Col. Marion Angcao, 73rd IB commanding officer, said the 40-minute firefight happened in Sitio Datal Pitak in Barangay Colonsabak.

The wounded soldier identified as Cpl. Lovinder John Abantes was brought to Davao City for treatment.

Angcao said two Huey helicopters provided air support to the ground troops, forcing the rebels to withdraw.

Aside from the bodies of the slain rebels, government troops also recovered an M14 rifle and an M4 bushmaster rifle at the scene.

The bodies of the slain rebels were brought to the Matanao police station and later transported to a funeral parlor in Bansalan town. JPV