2 NPAs killed in ComVal battle with AFP

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two Communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists were killed, while an undetermined number of other rebels were believed wounded by government forces in Sitio Mangurayan, Barangay Anitapan, Mabini town, Compostela Valley (ComVal) province, reported 71st Infantry Battalion (71st IB) Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer First Lt. Jhocell D. Asis, on Thursday.

According to Asis, the 71st IB received information from villagers who monitored some rebels in the vicinity of Barangay Anitapan.

Acting on the report, the troops conducted combat operations and encountered undetermined number of insurgents.

A heavy firefight lasted for about 10 minutes, after which the terrorists fled towards the northeast, leaving two dead comrades. Government troops also captured one enemy.

An Army soldier was also wounded during the gunfight, it said.

Recovered in the encounter site were three improvised shotguns, an improvised explosive device (IED), 50 meters detonating cord, and a blasting cap, the 71st IB CMO officer said.

“Also, bloodstains were found at the enemy withdrawal area, an indication of casualties among the NPAs,” 1st Lt. Asis claimed.

Lt. Col. Esteveyn E. Ducusin, commanding officer of 71st IB said, “We have been doing our best in our campaigns for the rebels to go back to the folds of law. In fact, we opened a Balik-Loob Assistance Center to cater NPA members and supporters were also surrender. This is because we are not allowing death or any displeasing circumstance to occur not only for the troopers but also to the exploited members of NPA who are only victims of misleading ideology.”