2 suspected NPA members killed in Agusan del Norte clash

Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) died following an armed encounter with government forces Tuesday in Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte, the Army’s 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) said.

Brigadier General  Adonis Ariel Orio, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the encounter with some 15 NPA members happened at So Little Baguio, Barangay Consorcia.

Orio identified the casualties as 24-year-old Rey Torregosa and 41-year-old Juliven Badbaran.

Seized from the operation were of one RPK LMG, one AK47 Rifle, one M16 Rifle; one Anti-Personnel Mine, 11 AK47 magazines; three M14 magazines, NPA flags, subversive documents and assorted personal belongings.

“I would like to commend the troops of 23rd Infantry Battalion for your recent accomplishment,” Orio said in a statement.

“Indeed, the successful conduct of your combat operation was a result of careful planning, excellent intelligence and strategy with flawless execution of our capable leaders and soldiers, he added.

Orio, meanwhile, appealed to the remaining members of communist rebels to surrender and live peacefully with their families. 

“As we have vowed to protect our people, we will continue to hunt the enemies down and remain true to our mandate of sustaining the peace and development in the area of Agusan del Norte,” the official said. -- Mel Matthew Doctor/BAP, GMA News