NPA rebel killed in clash with soldiers in Misamis Oriental town

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with soldiers in the hinterlands of Salay town, Misamis Oriental on Monday (June 7).

Second Lt. Monique Olarte, assistant civil military operations officer of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB), said the soldiers were tipped about the presence of some 12 communist guerrillas in the village of Mimbuli.

As the soldiers arrived in the area, an armed encounter ensued that lasted for some 25 minutes, Olarte added.

When the rebels fled, the government troops discovered in the encounter site a slain guerrilla slumped with his M16 assault rifle. Also found were his personal belongings and assorted medical supplies.

The slain rebel was later identified by his former comrades as Elly Marianas Cabusog, alias Dariel, who is from Alipuaton village in Salay town.

Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, commanding officer of the 58IB, vowed to continue the campaign of driving out communist guerrillas from the villages in the province.