CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Two members of the communist terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while four high-powered firearms were seized in a series of military operations in Occidental Mindoro on Monday, April 25.
The first encounter occurred in the morning as combined elements of the Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion, and Philippine National Police Special Action Force clashed with about 10 NPAs in Brgy. Malpalon, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro.
The five-minute firefight resulted in the death of a female fighter, seizure of one M16 rifle, and wounding of one soldier.
The succeeding operation was led by the joint elements of the 4th Infantry Battalion, 76th Infantry Battalion, and 68IB against more or less five NPAs who were withdrawing from the previous encounter.
The 20-minute fire fight resulted in the death of a male communist terrorist and the seizure of an M16 Bush Master rifle, magazines for M16 rifle, improvised hand grenade, and various ammunition.
Another encounter was between the 76IB and four fleeing NPAs at Sitio Salad in Brgy. Malpalon. The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes which resulted to the confiscation of an M16 rifle, M14 rifle, anti-personnel mine, hand grenade, rifle grenade, bandolier, and subversive documents.
“With the AFP’s persistent focused military operations alongside the cooperation and support of other agencies and local government units, we will continue to pressure the communist terrorists to lay down their arms and go back to the mainstream society,” said AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino.
