Army: Soldier, 8 NPA rebels killed in ComVal encounter

A soldier and eight communist rebels were killed in an encounter in Compostela Valley on Wednesday morning, the military said.

Soldiers from the 25th and 60th Infantry Battalion figured with about 40 communist rebels from the Section Committee 3 and Pulang Bagani Command 4 in Brgy. LS Sarmiento in Laak town, acting 10th Public Affairs Chief Cpt. Alex Cabales said.

The soldiers recovered eight bodies believed from the New People’s Army and six high-powered firearms (5 M-16 armalite rifles and M-60 machine gun).

The identity of the soldier killed in action was withheld pending the notification of his family.

Soldiers also seized an NPA encampment in Brgy. Casoon in Monkayo town last Monday after an encounter with the same rebel group.

Quoting Ltc. Ismael Mandanas, commanding officer of the 25th Infantry Battalion, Cabales said that there are reports that the same NPA group will consolidate in Brgy. Casoon to conduct tactical offensives ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address, upon the orders of communist leaders.

Duterte is scheduled to delivered his second SONA on July 24.

Combined security forces immediately set up checkpoints in Compostela Valley as they pursued the communist rebels who have fled. Frances Mangosing/JE