By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – A ranking New People’s Army (NPA) official was killed in an encounter with government troops in Agusan del Sur on Sunday, the military reported Monday.
The fatality was identified as Bonifacio Lutawan (alias “Tado”), commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion said the clash in Sitio Tacocon, Barangay Kasapa II, La Paz also involved rebels operating in nearby Bukidnon. No government casualty were reported.
“The identity of Lutawan was confirmed by former rebels,” the military said in a statement.
Troops also recovered an M653 rifle from the scene. Military operations are ongoing as of this posting. (PNA)
