2 REBELS KILLED, HIGH-POWERED GUNS SEIZED IN SURSUR CLASH

Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while several highpowered firearms were seized after a firefight with government forces at Sitio Agsam, Barangay Cabas-an, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday.

Lt. Colonel Michael Reuyan of the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion said the casualties were believed to be members of Platoon 2, Guerilla Front 30 (GF30), led by Noel Tumarlas Alacre “Ka Megan.” The enemy immediately withdrew to different directions and left their wounded comrades behind.

Reuyan added the cadavers were turned over to the Philippine National Police and local government units for identification and postmortem examination.

The government troopers also seized some high powered firearms and other paraphernalia: one M16A1 rifle; one AR18 rifle; one carbine; one bandolier loaded with two long magazines and one short magazine of M16; four backpacks; two Nokia cell phones; medical paraphernalia; personal belongings; and other subversive documents.

Reuyan said the clash is a result of the relentless combat operations conducted by the government troops. locals and communities, we could easily track down the enemy. It is a manifestation that they don’t want the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist in their area,” Reuyan said.

“The 36IB unit grieves with the slain NPAs as they are also victims of futile arm struggle and failed ideology,” the official noted. (with a report from 36IB/PIASurigao del Sur)