Two alleged NPA rebels killed in Masbate clash

Two alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA), believed to be a married couple, were killed in an encounter with government troops in the town of Palanas, Masbate on Wednesday. Col. Angelo Lutera, commander of the Army's 903rd Infantry Brigade, identified the fatalities as Crisanto Pikit-Pikit, alias "Dawe," and his alleged wife. According to Lutera, soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division were conducting security operations in Barangay Cagumbayan, Palanas when they encountered an armed group, leading to a firefight. The exchange of gunfire lasted for about 30 minutes, with no casualties reported on the government side. The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one M14 rifle, ammunition, and subversive documents belonging to the NPA from the scene. This incident is one of the latest in the ongoing communist insurgency in the Philippines. The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a protracted guerrilla war against the government since 1969. The government has intensified its counter-insurgency operations in recent years. Masbate province is known to be an area with security concerns, with reports of activity from various armed groups, not limited to the NPA. The government aims to maintain peace and order and eradicate rebel elements in these regions. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo