Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and a militiaman were killed as fresh fighting erupted anew in Agusan del Sur Thursday afternoon, a belated military report said yesterday.
“We acted upon the report that a group of armed NPAs were (conducting) extortion activities in the said community,” Lt. Col. Rommel Pagayon, commanding officer of the Army’s 26 Infantry Battalion in Agusan Del Sur, said.
He said that the encounter took place in Binucayan, an outskirt village in the municipality of Loreto, Agusan Del Sur.
According to Pagayon, the NPA rebels indiscriminately fired on the government troopers despite the presence of the civilians in the village, which resulted in a 30-minute running gun battle.
He said that two unidentified NPA rebels were killed, their firearms recovered along the rebel’s escape route.
Pagayon did not name the slain Cafgu member pending notification to his family.
“It is very unfortunate that this tragedy has to happen. Our hearts are grieving for the death of our three fellow Filipinos. To those NPAs who died during the clash, they should have been alive by now if only their leaders did not deceive them to join their terror group. We urge the leader of the said NPA group to bring his wounded comrades to the hospital. We shall not let them suffer so much pain in the mountains. We are also offering our medical assistance to help your wounded comrades.” Pagayon said.
He said the government troops also recovered subversive documents and personal belongings at the scene of the encounter.
Pagayaon said that the military is offering medical assistance to the wounded NPA rebels who were reportedly carried by their comrades on their withdrawal route. (4id)
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