By
Hirohito Cadion February 19, 2018, 8:58
pm Share
PAGADIAN
CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- A soldier and a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel were
killed in a firefight with government forces in the nearby province of
Zamboanga del Norte, the military reported.
Lt.
Col. Marlowe Patria, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed the
firefight took place at around 8:34 p.m. Saturday in Barangay San Isidro,
Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.
Patria
said the clash broke out while his troops led by 1Lt. Abner Pilando conducted a
strike operation following the reported presence of a group of NPA rebels in
Barangay San Isidro.
Patria
said the clash lasted for about 15 minutes that resulted in the death of a
soldier and a rebel after which the rest of the NPA rebels scampered to
different directions.
He said
the slain NPA member, whose remains were left behind by his comrades, was not
immediately identified. An AK-47 assault rifle was also recovered at the clash
site.
The
name of the slain soldier was withheld pending notice to his family.
Patria
said the NPA rebels were harassing the civilians when the clash ensued.
Maj.
Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, condemned in the
strongest terms the continued atrocities of NPAs against the hapless civilians.
“Our soldier
died a hero while protecting our people and our communities. We will vigorously
pursue these NPA terrorists until they will be left with no choice but
surrender or get killed,” Murillo said.
“The
cooperation of the civilians who reported the armed group’s presence in their
area is a strong manifestation that civilians have long been tired of these
NPA’s terroristic activities in forms of extortion and harassment,” he added.
(PNA)
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