Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash with the Philippine Army in Tapaz, Capiz, on Saturday.
According to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), troops from the 82nd, 61st, and 12th Infantry Battalions were conducting operations in the upland area of Barangay Katipunan at around 7:45 a.m. when they encountered seven armed insurgents.
The rebels were believed to be part of the Komiteng Rehiyon–Panay (KR-P), according to Captain Jessie Jun Ebalan, 3ID spokesperson.
He said the troops received a tip from concerned citizens that armed men were in the area, so they immediately deployed troops to verify the report.
The clash lasted for several minutes, and when the firefight ended, two bodies were recovered by the operating troops.
“The identities of the slain CTG [communist-terrorist groups] remnants are still being verified,” Ebalan said.
Two M-16 assault rifles and an M653 rifle, a rifle grenade, explosives, ammunition, magazines, and personal belongings were also retrieved from the encounter site.
Meanwhile, no casualty was reported on the government’s side, according to Ebalan.
Major General Michael Samson, 3ID commander, commended troops and townsfolk alike, saying, “This victory is not only a testament to the dedication and bravery of our soldiers, but also to the overwhelming support and vigilance of the people of Tapaz. The timely information provided by concerned citizens was instrumental in the success of this operation.”
