2 REBELS KILLED IN CLASH WITH TROOPS

THE military on Tuesday said two suspected communist rebels were killed by government troops in Agusan del Norte.

Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., 4th Infantry Division (4ID) information officer, said the two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a firefight with the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Sangay, Buenavista town at dawn on Monday.

Garello said the slain rebels were both members of the Sub-Regional Senator de Gravidad wing of the North Central Mindanao Regional

Committee.

He said another unidentified combatant abandoned by a large group of rebels who retreated from the scene of fighting was captured by pursuing troops.

Two Armalite rifles were recovered from the two fatalities.

“The military offensive against the NPA will continue to be relentless, in line with our commitment to safeguard our people and the communities against the NPA criminals,” said 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo 2nd.

The killing of the two rebels brought to six the number of terrorists slain in the ongoing military pursuit against the NPA group. Government forces also captured five rebels, including two who surrendered.

The skirmishes ensued following the capture of two wounded female NPA combatants in a clash with joint military and police elements in Agusan del Norte last week.

“With this, we assure everyone that your Joint Task Force Diamond shall continue to put more pressure on the remaining NPAs,” Orio said.

Meanwhile, ground troops continue to hunt six wounded operatives of the IS-linked Dawlah Islamiyah following the killing of nine extremist groups in Lanao del Sur last week.

A military source in Mindanao said they are relentlessly pursuing the six extremists who suffered gunshot wounds after the terrorists figured in running battle with troops of the 103rd Infantry Division in Tapurog, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.

The military said the nine extremists were involved in the Mindanao State University bombing that left four civilians killed.