Captain Jonald Romorosa, Civil Military Officer of 402nd Brigade said that joint operating units of the 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) and 16th Infantry Battalion (16IB) engaged about 20 NPA fighters under Guerilla Front (GF) Huawei and Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SR SDG) MTJ EAGLES of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) at the hinterlands of Sitio Mangillet, Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City around 5:50 a.m.
The encounter which lasted for around 30 minutes happened after the military launched a focused military operation against the two rebel groups.
The military found two dead communist rebels abandoned by their comrades after securing the encounter site.
Seized were two AK47 rifles, M16 rifle, AR18 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
Meanwhile, another clash also transpired in the hinterlands of Sitio Malague, Barangay Guinabsan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, around 7 a.m on the same day between the troops of 23rd Infantry Battalion against five NPA combatants.
The firefight lasted for 5 minutes wherein the enemy scampered to a different direction. The military seized an M14 rifle, NPA documents, and personal belongings in the encounter site.
The two cadavers were transported to the nearest funeral for post-mortem examination and proper identification.
Colonel Adonis Ariel G. Orio, the commander of 402nd Brigade, said they will continue to carry on its mandate to secure the communities from the terrorism posed by the Communist NPA rebels.
Orio vowed to continue their offensive against the menace of the country until they are completely neutralized and prevented from sowing terror to achieve peace and security that communities are longing for.
He also urged the remaining rebels in the area to surrender and return to peaceful life together with their families and celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.
Photos: 402nd IB
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