THE military said today its soldiers killed four New People’s Army rebels after two hours of fighting in the mountains of Talakag town, Bukidnon yesterday afternoon.
Brigadier Gen. Ferdinand Barandon, commander of Army Task Force ‘Peacemaker’ said the fighting which started at around 5:30 ended two hours later and resulted in the seizure of 16 high-powered firearms.
“We believed many more rebels were wounded based on the backpacks and firearms strewn along their escape paths,” Barandon said.
Barandon said soldiers clashed with 30 rebels belonging to Platun Ipad of the North Central Mindanao Revolutionary Committee in the mountains of Barangay Tikalaan, Talakag town.
He said there were no casualties from the 1st Special Forces Battalion who clashed with the rebels.
“Platun Ipad are the rebels who fled to Maguing and Bumbaran after they suffered major setbacks in Impasug-ong town and Mt. Kitanglad,” Barandon said.
Major Francisco Garello Jr., Army 4th Infantry Division spokesperson said one female in her 20s was among the four New Peoples Army rebels killed in the clash.
Garello identified the dead rebels as Jelly Sugnot, a female, in her 20s; Carlisio D. Sumalinog; Jovilito Pontillas, and Gary Juliana.
He said 16 high-powered firearms — seven M16 rifles; two R4 carbines; one M653 rifle; three Garand rifles; one AK 47 rifle and one M14 rifle were seized from the rebels.
