DAVAO CITY – Two communist rebels were killed and 2 others captured in separate clashes in the restive southern Philippine region of Mindanao, officials said Monday.
Officials said the fighting between members of the 28th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao Oriental’s Lupon town killed Archie Sagan-a and Ryan Ligkat – both squad leaders of the rebel group.
Lt. Col. Alexander Banatao, the battalion commander, said the weekend fighting occurred in the village of Marayag. He said villagers reported the presence of gunmen in the area.
“After receiving reports from concerned residents about the presence of armed men near their place, we immediately and deliberately planned out a strike security operation in order to safeguard the community from the presence of the terrorists that pose fear and danger in the lives of the residents,” he said.
Banatao said they engaged the rebel forces in sporadic and running gun battle that lasted nearly two hours. He said there were no military casualties.
Both Bansil, 22; and Ngojo, 21; admitted during interrogation that they are allegedly scholars of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Incorporated and part-time teachers at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines’s Haran Center in Davao City. The center serves as temporary disaster shelter for tribal members in Davao region.
They also said that 3 other rebels were wounded in the fighting, but managed to flee from the military operations. Soldiers also recovered automatic rifles and transceiver radios from the duo who served as medics for insurgent group.
The NPA
has been fighting the democratic government for many decades for the
establishment of a communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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