CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City: An unidentified rebel was killed as fresh fighting between state forces and the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels erupted anew in the hinterlands of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, the military reporred Sunday.
Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr., Chief of the Division’s Public Affairs Office (DPAO) here, said that the 25-minute firefight took place in the village of Lawaan, Gingoog City, past 5:00 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
He said that the military was tracking enemy traces from previously reported hideout when they encountered about 10 armed NPA communist rebels resulting in the armed skirmishes.
Aside from killing one of the NPA rebels, the military also recovered two M16 rifle and one M14 rifle during the clearing operations in the encounter site, Garello said.
He said that no casualties were reported on the government side as the government troopers continue a hot pursuit operations Sunday.
According to Garello, since the assumption of MGen Romeo S. Brawner Jr as 4ID Commander on July 5, 2021, the military already logged a total of 30 armed encounters against the communist NPA rebels and the seizure of 30 high powered firearms in its area of responsibility.
The armed encounters resulted in the killing of four NPAs and the capture and apprehension of 11 other NPA rebels, he said.
Garello said that 35 NPA rebels also surrendered bringing with them a total of 21 firearms while 13 enemy hideouts and four improvised explosive devices were seized. -30-
 rebels erupted anew in the hinterlands of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, the military reporred Sunday.){kind=link}