4 NPAs killed in Bukidnon gunfight

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Four members of the now-weakened New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with patrolling soldiers in Barangay Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, on Wednesday, August 13.

Officials of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and Brigadier General Siegfried Tubalado, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said on Saturday, August 16, that the four guerrillas were killed in a series of gunfights with soldiers dispatched to verify reports of their presence in Barangay Dumalaguing, where they were reportedly collecting food and money from villagers at gunpoint.

The bodies of the slain NPAs were transported to a safe area by soldiers using an Air Force helicopter and immediately turned over to local officials.

The anti-NPA operation, which involved personnel from various units under the 403rd Infantry Brigade and the 4th Division Reconnaissance Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division, was based on reports late Tuesday from residents of Impasug-ong about sightings of a band of guerrillas in Barangay Dumalaguing, who had extorted residents the following day.

Barangay officials and local executives in Impasug-ong are known to be supportive of the 4th Infantry Division’s anti-NPA campaign in their municipality.