2 members of NPA die in clash with army troops in Agusan del Norte

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Two alleged members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed, and one was captured in the latest encounter in Agusan del Norte’s Buenavista town, authorities said Tuesday.

The Philippine Army said troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion and a platoon under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee figured in a firefight at Sitio Kipundaw in Barangay Sangay on Monday.

The two fatalities and the captured rebel remain unidentified to date.

Meanwhile, two high-powered firearms were also recovered.

READ: Army: 2 suspected NPA rebels killed in Agusan del Norte clash

According to the Army, the latest encounter is part of the ongoing pursuit operation against the remaining members of the NPA platoon in the area.

The series of encounters with the local Maoist rebels  began on Jan. 16 in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte where two rebels were killed.—Melanie Tamayo, intern