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CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 01 December) — Two suspected Communist rebels were killed Saturday following a fierce gunfight between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Butuan City.
Col. Maurito Licudine, commander of the Army 402nd Infantry Brigade said Army soldiers seized two AK 47 rifles and two M653 rifles left behind by the rebels.
Licudine said the rebels carried away the body of one of the dead rebels.
“The other that was left behind we turned it over to the barangay officials for burial,” Licudine said.
Licudine said the firefight started when a platoon of soldiers encountered around 20 NPA rebels in Sitio Salvacion, Barangay Bugabos in Butuan City Saturday morning.
He said the firefight lasted only ten minutes but was intense.
Licudine said the rebels withdre, carrying one of the slain rebels.
The encounter came two days after another firefight in Jabonga town, Agusan del Norte.
Licudine said a platoon of soldiers was tracking down a band of NPA rebels when they engaged them in a 30-minute firefight.
Licudine said the rebels withdrew but left several rifles and ammunition behind.
He said the soldiers seized an M14 and M4 rifle with grenade launcher; ammunition and electrical wires for improvised explosive devices. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)