Lieutenant Colonel Jelson D Buyuccan, commander of the Philippine Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion identified the slain NPA member as Vilma Tawede Baliguat alias Bel, a resident of Sitio Tambonon, Barangay San Roque, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
Baliguat is a member of the NPA’s Southern Regional Command (SRC) Southland, Northern-Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC).
Buyuccan said its troops engaged in a 10-minute firefight with around 15 NPA fighters while they were conducting security operations.
The troops recovered at the encounter site an AK47 Rifle, M16A1 rifle, magazines, 55 rounds of bullets, six bolos, power bank, two cellular phones, three cauldrons, thirteen pairs of boots, three head flashlights, flash drive, six backpacks with personal belongings, and assorted food supplies.
The cadaver the slain NPA rebelwas turned over the following day by the troops to the San Miguel Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Brigadier General Oliver T Vesliño, the Acting Commander of the 4th Infantry Division (ID), extended his condolences to the family of the slain NPA combatant.
He then encouraged the remaining NPA members to go back to the folds of the law and start life anew.
"It is not yet too late for you to reinvent your life. The 4ID and other government agencies under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) will welcome you with open arms. Lay down your firearms and avail of the numerous benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government," he said.
Vesliño, meanwhile commended the team of the 401st Brigade for sustaining the peace and security in their area of responsibility (AOR).
4th ID has initiated nine encounters that resulted in the neutralization of 13 communist terrorist group members and recovery of 16 firearms for this month alone.
Photos: 4th ID