BUTUAN: A communist New People's Army (NPA) insurgent was killed in a clash between 10 rebels and the combined forces of the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions (IB) in Barangay Concepcion, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Friday afternoon. In a statement on Saturday, Lt. Col. Cresencio Gargar, the commander of 29IB, identified the slain rebel as Leo Salino Mindoro, alias Yolly, a staff of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Northland under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA. The government troops also recovered from the encounter site an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and personal belongings of the NPA rebels who fled after the skirmish. 'We received reports from concerned civilians on the presence of the Communist Terrorist Group conducting extortion activities in the area,' Gargar said. After validating the report, a joint operation was immediately launched in the area on Friday noon, which resulted in the encounter with the insurgents led by a certain Ricky Per, alias Rem. The troop s brought the remains of the NPA casualty to Cabadbaran City for proper disposition. 'The 29IB and the local government unit of Cabadbaran have already reached out to the family of the slain NPA rebel for the formal turnover of his remains,' Gargar said. The 29IB commander also urged the remaining NPA rebels in the area to surrender and return to their families peacefully. 'We also recognize the support of the vigilant civilians in the area for their timely report,' Gargar said. Source: Philippines News Agency
