Suspected NPA member killed in Surigao del Norte clash —military

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed Thursday in an encounter with government troops in Surigao del Norte, Philippine Army's 30th Infantry Battalion said Friday.

In a statement, the military identified the fatality as Ricky Vocales Rosaldo or Kenz, alleged member of Platoon 16C1 of the Guerilla Front (GF)16 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The 30IB said the  government troops went to  Barangay Budlingin in Alegria town around 11 a.m., Thursday, as a follow-up operation to a previous encounter on February 8.

The military said they had a firefight with the groups of rebels supposedly headed by Roel Neniel or alias Jacob and Alberto Castañeda or alias J.D.

Seized from the site were an improvised explosive device with a detonating device, blasting cap, M16 rifle magazines, bandolier, M16 and AK47 ammunition, medicines, subversive documents, food, and other personal items.

Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Charles Callanta, commander of 30IB, thanked the troops for their efforts in the operation.

“Asahan ninyo po na mas lalo pa namin gagampanan ang aming tungkulin sa abot ng aming makakaya upang panatilihin ang kapayapaan at bigyan ng seguridad ang mamamayan sa buong probinsya ng Surigao del Norte,” he said.

(We assure you that we will do our duty to the best of our abilities to keep the peace and provide security to the residents of Surigao del Norte.)—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News