Trooper killed, undetermined number of NPAs wounded in Bukidnon clash

NPA guerillas. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

MANILA – A soldier from the 1st Special Forces Battalion was killed while an undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents were wounded during a two-hour clash in Valencia City, Bukidnon Friday afternoon.

The incident took place at 2 p.m. at Sitio Kambangon, Barangay Lilingayon, said 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez.

Government forces were deployed in the area after several residents forwarded complaints of the ongoing NPA extortion mission in their locality.

Martinez said the rebel band immediately fired at the responding soldiers, killing one soldier. Return fire from government units wounded several of the insurgents.

The clash ended with the NPAs retreating some two hours later. Several blood trails were discovered by troops, indicating that many of the rebels were wounded in the fighting.

Recovered from the encounter scene were two AK-47 automatic rifles, two M-653 carbine, five M-16A-1 rifles, an improvised explosive device, eight AK-47 magazines, three M-14 magazines, one M-16 magazine, a rifle grenade, five gallons of gas, three handheld radios, and numerous NPA belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

“I congratulate our troops for successfully pushing the NPA extortionists away from that peaceful community. Unfortunately, while our troops are performing their duty, one of our soldiers have paid his ultimate sacrifice when he offered his own life just to free our people from NPA atrocities. To our brave soldier, your heroism will always be remembered by the people to whom you dedicated your life and service,” 4th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said.