Troops kill 4 NPAs in Agusan del Sur

Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed when they launched an attack at patrolling military troops in San Luis, Agusan del Sur on Saturday morning.

In a news release, the Philippine Army said troops from the 26th Infantry Battalion were on prophylactic patrol when they were fired at by the NPAs in Sitio Kihingay, Barangay San Pedro, San Luis at around 7:50 a.m.

Troops recovered three AK47 rifles, two M16 rifles, two ICOM radios, 20 bag packs, and subversive documents.

The Army said that pursuit operations were ordered by the commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade against the other members of the NPA group that ambushed the troops.

It said that troops were deployed to the area after receiving information about the presence of 30 NPAs led by a certain Commander Antoy of the Front 88.

It said the communist rebels were extorting for food and provisions, forcing some families to evacuate from nearby Sitio Damming.

The encounter happened hours before the Communist Party of the Philippines' seven-day ceasefire with the government took effect.

The communist group's ceasefire will take effect at 12:01 a.m. of August 21, Sunday and will last until 11:59 p.m. of August 27.

The government, meanwhile, announced on Saturday afternoon that President Rodrigo Duterte had declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire with the communist group.

The government's ceasefire will also start at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. —Jessica Bartolome/ALG, GMA News