6 rebels, gov't troops killed in encounters

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen, a soldier and three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a series of encounters in the provinces of Agusan, Surigao and Bukidnon in the past four days.

Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division (ID), said fighting broke out early morning last Tuesday between Army troops from the 26th Infantry Battalion (IB) and NPA rebels in Barangay Kauswagan, Loreto town.

Over the weekend, Army troops also clashed with NPA rebels in Barangay Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon that left a soldier and an NPA rebel killed.

Members of the 31st IB chanced upon a band of heavily armed NPA guerrillas in Sitio Boy Banwa, Barangay Camam-onan, Giquait, Surigao del Norte leaving a policeman and an NPA guerrilla dead.

Members of the 26th and 23rd IBs recovered a machine gun and landmines from the rebels in Sitio Kilangcog, Barangay Caigangan, Veruela town in Agusan del Sur.

A policeman and an unidentified NPA rebel were killed in the gunfight. Soldiers rescued a kidnapped militiaman identified as Jessie Agra following the encounter.

“To our soldiers and PNP personnel who died, I salute you for fighting for peace. You will forever be remembered. We will not fail you. We will continue to fight to bring peace to the Filipino people,” Brig. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, 4th ID commander, said.