Suspected NPA leader killed in Agusan Del Norte clash -military

A suspected leader of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed during an encounter between government troops and communist rebels in Kitcharao, Agusan Del Norte on April 20.

Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey on Wednesday said elements of the 29th Infantry Battalion were doing a hot pursuit operation on Monday morning when they clashed with communists in Barangay Bangayan, which resulted in the death of one Kevin "Banjo" Caballero, allegedly a vice leader of the NPA in the area.

According to the military, Caballero was also identified by a former rebel.

Seized from him were one M4 rifle with an attached M203 grenade launcher, a landmine switch kit and some subversive documents.

The pursuit operation was done following an earlier encounter on that day which resulted in the arrest of three suspected NPA members, the discovery of a rebel hideout, and the rescue of a nine-year-old boy.

The rescued minor was then turned over to the office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development.

The clash occurred despite the ceasefire declaration from both camps in light of the government efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News