Rebel killed, 6 wounded in Zamboanga del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A communist insurgent was killed, while six of his comrades were wounded after they engaged elements of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan in Zamboanga del Norte, Sunday.

In his report to the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom). Col. Jacinto Bareng, commander of the 102nd Brigade, said his men were conducting security patrol in Sitio Biwa, Titik, Leon B Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte at 5 a.m. when they encountered the members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Bareng added that a group of soldiers, who were conducting a peace and development activity near the area, provided fire support to the task force.

A driver, whose vehicle was commandeered by the insurgents, told the government troops that he saw the Communists carrying a dead comrade, while six others were wounded.

No soldier was hurt in the encounter.

After scouring the area, soldiers were able to recover three rounds of CTG caliber-40mm ammunition, 15 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents.

Meanwhile, another member of the communist group surrendered to the troops of the Joint Task Force Zampelan yesterday afternoon.

According to Joint Task Force ZamPeLan Commander Brig. Gen. Joselito Bautista, Allen Andoloy Condez, who is also known as Momar and a member of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, yielded to Lt. Col. Virgilio Hamos, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, in Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur at 1 p.m. yesterday.

“Condez was immediately subjected to custodial debriefing in order to extract actionable information that will lead us to the other CTs and their encampments,” Bautista said.

Condez, 23, and a resident of Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte, is listed under the periodic status report of the military as an active member of the communists group.

“I congratulate our soldiers under Joint Task Force Zampelan for their persistent effort to neutralize the communist terrorists within their area of operations,” said Lt. Gen. Carlito G Galvez Jr., WesMinCom chief.

“This accomplishment only proves that everyone in the WestMinCom team is working doubly hard to sustain the gains and defeat the enemy, despite the present challenges the command is facing in Marawi and in other areas,” he said.