Female NPA guerrilla killed in Misamis Oriental clash —Army

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental —A female New People's Army fighter was killed in an encounter with government troops in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental, the Army said Sunday.

An an encounter between government security forces erupted in Barangay  Bal-ason, Gingoog City on August 13, the Army said.

Troops later identified the slain rebel as Brenda Serenio, 24, and a resident of South Kamansi, Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong town.

 

Photo courtesy: 58th IB

According to the Army, the clash broke out when government troops chanced upon some 20 NPA guerrillas.

At the clash site, soldiers recovered the body of Serenio beside her M14 rifle.

According to the soldiers, the body was abandoned by her comrades as they escaped.

Serenio, according to security forces, was a member of Platoon PPH, Huawei, Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC 1), Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) of the NPA.

Other items recovered from the site included one landmine, one Signus radio, one solar panel charger, 13 sacks of rice, medical supplies, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Canatoy, Commanding Officer of the 58th Infantry  Battalion said, "Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the killed female rebel. Another life is wasted and lost for fighting the wrong ideologies of the NPA. We hope that this will be the last person who sacrificed her life just for nothing."

Moreover, he urged the remaining NPA rebels to lay down their arms, return to the folds of the law, and avail the programs of the government.

"You are always welcome to us if you decide to surrender and we will assist you until you avail all the benefits under Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) . Likewise, your Army will continue its quest in ensuring the safety and security of every individual in the communities," he added.

The recovered cadaver was then brought to a funeral home in Gingoog City. —LBG, GMA News