10 NPAs killed in Misamis clashes

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — Ten New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have been killed in gunfights with government troopers in Misamis Oriental since Sunday.

Authorities said the clashes occurred with rebels belonging to the Northwestern Mindanao Command in Sitio Likudon, Barangay Kamanikan in Gingoog City.

Lt. Col. Francisco Molina, 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the bodies of the rebels were brought to two funeral parlors in Gingoog City.

”The NPAs planted landmines. Our troopers are very careful while conducting pursuit operations,” Molina said.

He said five high-powered firearms, ammunition, landmines, cell phones and subversive documents were recovered at the site of the encounter.

In Zamboanga del Sur, two NPA rebels were killed in an encounter with soldiers of the 53rd IB in Sitio Pisyo, Barangay Balonai in Midsalip town.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the soldiers recovered the remains of the slain rebels, two AK47 rifles and a backpack.