NPA killed

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A New People’s Army (NPA) fighter was killed, while an undetermined number of other rebels were wounded, in a fierce gun battle with the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion (26th IB) in Pigdusuan area, Barangay Mahagsay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur province late Sunday afternoon, May 24, the military reported Wednesday. The 26th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer First Lt. Percival J. Carido Jr. told The Manila Bulletin late Tuesday afternoon that troops of the 26th IB also seized three high powered firearms after the armed skirmish. “The Communist terrorists extorted food stuffs and cash from rice and corn farmers in the nearby barangay who have just sold their produce,” he said. “The gun battle took place after villagers reported their presence in Pigdusuan area,” the 26th IB CMO officer added. (Mike U. Crismundo)