NPA killed in clash in Misamis Oriental

A COMMUNIST guerrilla was killed while six highpowered firearms were recovered after troops of 58th Infantry Battalion (IB) raided a group of rebels in Mt. Obulan, Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental around 5 p.m. on Dec 10.

1Lt. Jeff Mariano, the Civil-Military Operations officer of the 58th Infantry battalion, identified the slain rebel as Benjie Tandayon alias Jay-r.

Soldiers were able to recover two M653 rifles, one M16A1 rifle, one AK47 assault rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one .22 caliber rifle, and subversive documents.

Reportedly, they received a complaint from the poor farmers about a group of rebels threatening them.

The troops responded and engaged the group of about 15 rebels who belonged to the Sub-Regional Committee 1, North Central Mindanao Regional Command. The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes before the rebels escaped.

Meanwhile, a soldier

was also wounded on the right arm but he refused to be evacuated. After he was given first aid, he decided to stay and run after the rebels.

The body of the slain rebel was immediately turned over to the local barangay unit.

In his statement, Lt. Col. Roy Anthony Derilo, commander of the 58th IB, said, “I have ordered the ground commander to bring down the dead body, give him respect and decent preparation for his burial, and deliver him to his family as soon as we have confirmed his identity.”

“In the course of our further search and pursuit in relation to this encounter, i just hope and pray there are no other fatalities on the NPAs that we would discover along the way,” he added.