2 dead, 4 wounded in NPA attacks in Agusan

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines  – Two persons were killed while four others were wounded in another clash between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur on Friday.

Members of the 26th Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army encountered some 50 fully armed communist rebels in Sitio Kilagnay Esperanza town in Agusan del Sur around 11 a.m. Friday.

The firefight lasted for more than an hour.

Later that day, another group of NPA rebels engaged soldiers in a firefight in Las Nieves town between the boundary of Agusan del Norte and Bukidnon.

It was not immediately known if the casualties are from the government or communist rebels’ side, as the Caraga police regional information office did not identify the victims in its initial report yesterday.

The Caraga police report added that firefight is still ongoing in the area, which is 70 kilometers from Las Nieves town.

An ultimax rifle, four AK-47 assault rifles, three M16 rifles and other explosive devices and high valued subversive documents were recovered after the incident.

The Department of National Defense (DND) meanwhile gave assurance that recent NPA attacks, which are considered part of the continuing extortion activities of the NPA, will be dealt with accordingly. – With Perseus Echeminada