The Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion confirmed the death of a Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebel during an encounter in the far-flung barangay of Milagrosa in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, on Saturday morning, August 26.
The military said the recovered body of the slain rebel has yet to be identified.
Also seized were one M653 rifle, one anti-personnel mine, four magazines for M653 (20 rounds cap), three magazines for M653 (30 rounds cap), 40 rounds 5.56 mm ball, an electrical tester, three lithium batteries, one bandolier, five backpacks with personal belongings, tarpaulin and food stuff.
The Saturday encounter came two days after a government soldier was killed at the same encounter site in Sitio Taleo.
The government troops were conducting strike operations against remnants of the NPA’s dismantled South East Front following information of armed men in the area.
In the first encounter, troops seized two .45 caliber pistols, three magazines for .45 caliber, 11 live ammunition for .45 caliber, one hand grenade and personal belongings.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, vowed to continue their operations against the rebels.
“This incident (death of a soldier) will not dampen our spirits but will further serve as our motivation to aggressively pursue the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Group,” Sison said.
“We will make sure that this ultimate sacrifice paid by our soldier-hero will not be in vain. We will not rest until none of them remain to continue their futile and senseless armed struggle,” he added.*PNA