By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed following a clash with government troops in Lanao del Sur, the military reported Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Billy Dela Rosa, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the 16th Scout Ranger Company encountered remnants of the NPA Sub-Regional Committee-5 (SRC-5) around 3 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Bandara Ingod, leading to the death of an unidentified rebel armed with an M16 rifle.
“No government casualties were reported following the clash,” Dela Rosa said in his report, noting that the incident was ninth enconuter between the government troops and remnants of the SRC-5 since January.
Just last week, another member of the same group surrendered following a clash in Barangay Pagonayan, Amai Manabilang.
Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1st Infantry Division, vowed sustained military operations to dismantle the remaining SRC-5 elements, while continuing peace and development programs with local governments in Lanao del Sur. (PNA)
