A gunfight lasting about 10 minutes erupted between Army troops and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur, on Thursday morning, June 19.
According to reports, the firefight happened at Purok 1, Barangay Sayon, around 9 a.m. while soldiers from the 60th Infantry Battalion and 67th Infantry Battalion were conducting a combat operation in the area.
The soldiers encountered at least eight suspected NPA members, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire. After the firefight, the alleged rebels quickly retreated, leaving behind the body of an unidentified individual believed to be a member of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.
Authorities recovered an M16 rifle, one magazine loaded with eight rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition, a backpack, and other personal belongings from the encounter site.
The remains of the deceased were brought to the nearest funeral home for post-mortem examination to help identify the individual.
Military officials continue to monitor the area as they work to determine the full identities of the involved rebel group members.
