CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – One of the ranking leaders of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government soldiers in a village in Bukidnon Saturday, the military said on Sunday. Ryan Layug, 403rd IB spokesperson, said the fallen NPA commander was among the 20 NPA guerillas who clashed with government forces in Sitio Bangkalawan, Barangay Lumintao, Quezon town on Saturday. Manggatawan was fatally hit by pursuing soldiers of the 88th Infantry Battalion, a unit of the 403rd IB. He was identified by his former fellow NPA fighter who had earlier surrendered to the government. “They would have to face the might of the military,” the general warned those who opted to stay with the rebel forces.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 29, 2019 05:26 UTC