TWO New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, who were allegedly planting improvised bombs along a road in Occidental Mindoro, were killed in a firefight with government troops in Rizal town on Sunday.
Troops from the Army’s 4th Infantry Battalion were conducting security operation when they clashed with undetermined number of rebels in Sitio Ibok, in Barangay Manoot at around 4:35 p.m. on Sunday.
Citing reports from the field, 2nd Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Kim Evangelista said “the rebels were laying down IEDs (improvised explosive devices) when the military was able to detect the NPA’s presence.”
After the firefight, troops recovered from the encounter site the remains of two NPA rebels who have yet to be identified, two cal. 38 revolvers, two IEDs, personal belongings, and documents.
Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, at the “Laging Handa” press briefing yesterday, said the military has so far dismantled 20 guerrilla fronts this year.
Centino said 43 guerrilla fronts remain nationwide, including 11 which he said are about to be dismantled by government troops.
“At the rate that we are going, I am sure it is not far-fetched that we can comply with the directive of the President,” said Centino, referring to President Duterte’s order to end the 52-year insurgency problem during his term.
