A LEADER of the communist New People’s Army and one of his men were killed on Sunday in a firefight with government troops in Agusan del Norte where the rebels were reportedly extorting from civilians.
The military named the slain NPA leader as Samuel Batican, commanding officer of the NPA’s Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16-A which operates in Agusan del Norte. The other rebel was identified only by his alias, “Yawming.”
Troops from the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion were sent to Barangay Jaliobong in Kitcharao town on Sunday after receiving reports from residents about a group of rebels conducting extortion activities in the community.
At around 9:30 p.m., a firefight broke out between the soldiers and about 15 rebels. The rebels fled after a 15-minute clash, leaving behind the remains of Batican and Yawming.
Soldiers also recovered at the encounter site a Colt AR15 rifle, a Winchester M14 rifle, two cellular phones, food stuff and other supplies.
29th IB commander Col. Jason Saldua thanked the residents for reporting the presence of the rebels, saying this gave soldiers the opportunity to “immediately respond.” against the rebels.
