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3 NPA members killed in Sarangani clash – AFP


At least three suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with the Army's forces in Sarangani province, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday.

A news release from AFP East Mindanao Command acting public information officer Maj. Ezra Balagtey said the encounter occurred at Sitio Tubak, Brgy. Nomol Maasim around 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

The identity of the suspected NPA members is still unknown. So far, there has been no reported casualties on the AFP's side.

The Army was able to recover nine high-powered firearms following the encounter including four M16 rifles, three M14 rifles, an M-4 rifle and a baby armalite.

Pursuit operations were then conducted against the other NPA members who fled.

This resulted in a second encounter between the AFP and the NPA bandits at the same place around 5 p.m. No casualty was reported on either side.

According to EASTMINCOM General Aurelio Baladad, the 27th Infantry Battalion encountered the same group last October 31 at Brgy. Lumasal Maasim, Sarangani, resulting in one NPA killed.

“The bandits are evading as our troops continue to pursue them, but information from community is continuously coming in that led to their [being] tracked down.” Baladad said.

He added that there have been at least five recent encounters between the 73rd Infantry Battalion and the NPA in the Sarangani-Davao area that resulted in six NPA killed and six captured. — Andrei Medina/BM, GMA News

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