Government troops killed two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), identified as a married couple, during a five-minute armed encounter with rebels in Barangay San Isidro, Palanas, Masbate, on the morning of July 29.
Military authorities identified the fatalities as Shiela Estoya Pikit-pikit, also known as “Liza,” and her husband, Crisanto Pikit-pikit, also known as “Dawe” or “Darwin.”
According to the military, the clash involved approximately 10 members of the NPA’s KLG-South, SRC4. The firefight lasted about five minutes before the remaining rebels fled the area, leaving behind the two slain individuals.
After securing the encounter site, government troops recovered four M16 rifles, several magazines, three rifle grenades, three bandoliers, five cellular phones, and other personal belongings.
The recovered firearms and equipment were taken into military custody as part of post-encounter operations.
The military did not report any casualties on the side of government forces.
Following the operation, Major General Aldwine I. Almase, commander of the 9th Infantry Division, said military operations against remaining armed insurgents in Masbate and the Bicol Region would continue.
Almase said the ongoing operations are intended to sustain peace and security in the province and across the region. He also renewed the military’s call for remaining NPA members to surrender and return to peaceful lives with their families.
No additional details were immediately released regarding the identities of the other rebels who escaped or whether follow-up operations were underway.
Authorities have not disclosed further information on the circumstances leading to the armed encounter. The military said the recovered weapons and other items would undergo standard documentation and processing as part of the investigation.
