2 NPA leaders killed in Zamboanga del Norte clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two New People’s Army (NPA) commanders were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte on Thursday.

Personnel of the 42nd and 97th Infantry Battalions clashed with an undetermined number of rebels in Sitio Kalakat, Barangay Midatag at around 3:40 p.m., Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

He said the slain rebels were identified as Loreto Dagpin and Rolando Maglasang, former commanders of defunct guerrilla fronts.

The military said an AK47, two M653 rifles, an M16, personal belongings, five backpacks and propaganda materials were recovered from the fatalities and their comrades who escaped.

Personnel of the Provincial Mobile Force Company clashed with communist insurgents in Barangay Tinuyop in the same town on Monday. No casualty was reported.

On April 20, the provincial government and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict declared Zamboanga del Norte as insurgency-free, saying guerrilla fronts in the area have been dismantled.