Three suspected communist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, the military reported Monday.
A delayed report said a combined elements from the 53rd Infantry Battalion and 5th Infantry Battalion backed by militiamen while on combat patrol encountered with the group of a certain Guzman and Pardillo at barangay Lucuan.
The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes, leaving three New People's Army (NPA) rebels dead. Government troops recovered two M16 armalite rifles and various personal belongings from the encounter site after the rebels fled to unknown direction.
Major Eugene Batara, information officer of the Western Mindanao Command, said the communist terrorists are frequently sighted in the said area foraging and extorting residents and farmers.
"They use the barrel of the gun to force our innocent farmers to give a portion of their products as tax. With the poor situation of the people in the countryside, they are really making the economic situation and livelihood of the people miserable," he said.
"They also pose a great danger to the civilians in instances when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops chance upon them putting the civilians in cross fire."
He reminded the people in the area, saying they must be aware of the communists are engaged and must cooperate in their own little way to help government troops get rid of them.
"They are considered hindrance to peace and prosperity because basic services could not be delivered for fear of their presence. Peace and security is also greatly affected which causes investors to shy away from Communist Terrorists affected areas."
A delayed report said a combined elements from the 53rd Infantry Battalion and 5th Infantry Battalion backed by militiamen while on combat patrol encountered with the group of a certain Guzman and Pardillo at barangay Lucuan.
The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes, leaving three New People's Army (NPA) rebels dead. Government troops recovered two M16 armalite rifles and various personal belongings from the encounter site after the rebels fled to unknown direction.
Major Eugene Batara, information officer of the Western Mindanao Command, said the communist terrorists are frequently sighted in the said area foraging and extorting residents and farmers.
"They use the barrel of the gun to force our innocent farmers to give a portion of their products as tax. With the poor situation of the people in the countryside, they are really making the economic situation and livelihood of the people miserable," he said.
"They also pose a great danger to the civilians in instances when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops chance upon them putting the civilians in cross fire."
He reminded the people in the area, saying they must be aware of the communists are engaged and must cooperate in their own little way to help government troops get rid of them.
"They are considered hindrance to peace and prosperity because basic services could not be delivered for fear of their presence. Peace and security is also greatly affected which causes investors to shy away from Communist Terrorists affected areas."
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