2 NPA guerrillas killed in Zambo Sibugay clash —military

Two suspected New People's Army guerrillas were killed and two civilian volunteers were hurt in a clash in Zamboanga Sibugay province on Sunday.

Soldiers from the 44th Infantry Battalion, 102nd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division were on a "focused" military operation when they chanced upon a group of 30 suspected NPA fighters, triggering  a firefight in Diplahan town's Barangay Guinoman. 

Security forces believe that the rebel group were under the command of Henry and Tibo of the SECOM Feliciano Bravo of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Government troops recovered the bodies of the fatalities and  brought their remains to Guinoman proper for identification.

Also recovered from the clash site were 1 AK47 Rifle and 1 M16 Rifle.

Meanwhile, the two wounded civilian volunteers are now being treated. 

The rebels, the military said, were harassing barangay residents when soldiers caught up with them.

Brig. Gen. Rolly Bautista, Commander of 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said, "The rebels committed atrocities, particularly arson, extortion, killings and abductions."

He said military operations will continue against the lawless group. —Merlyn Manos/LBG, GMA News