Two Philippine communist terrorists killed in firefight with army
Ten-minute firefight in Masbate province.
MASBATE: The Philippine army killed two suspected communist terrorists during a firefight in Masbate province on Monday, it has been reported.
Army troops also seized firearms after the encounter with the communist armed group known as the New People’s Army (NPA) at the boundary of Mahayag and Barangay Pili villages in Placer, PNA reported.Â
Maj. Frank Roldan, the 9th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office chief, told the news service that the two rebels whose names were not yet released belonged to Platoon 1, Larangang Guirilla 2, Sub-Regional Committee 3 of the NPA's Bicol Regional Party Committee.
"While our troops were busy responding and providing assistance to residents affected by Tropical Storm Enteng, they received reports that the NPA members were collecting revolutionary taxes in the areas," he was quoted as saying.
Roldan said the rebels exchanged gunfire with troops from the 2nd Infantry Battalion for about 10 minutes, resulting in the deaths of two of the NPA members.Â
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Soldiers also recovered an M653 assault rifle, a Garand rifle, and a cal. 38 gun, six anti-personnel landmines, ammunition, medical paraphernalia, and other personal items at the site, PNA reported further.
"A hot pursuit operation is now being conducted in the areas as other NPA members withdrew and scattered in different directions," Roldan reportedly said, adding no injuries were reported on the government's side or among the residents of the area.
The Philippine communist insurgency is among the longest-running in the world.
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