ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Joint Task Force ZamPeLan reported on Monday that a member of the New People's Army was killed during a brief encounter with  patrolling soldiers in Dumingag, Zamboanga Del Sur on Christmas Day.

JTF-Z commander Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete disclosed that soldiers of the 53rd Infantry Battalion were patrolling at Purok 2, Barangay Saad in Dumingag when a group of NPAs fired upon them.

A brief firefight ensued and due to the state troops' sophisticated weapons, the NPA withdrew to the inner forested areas of the village.

While clearing the encounter site, operating troops recovered the cadaver of a certain Martino Ayas, alias Nasser, one sling bag with, tobacco and one Nokia keypad phone.

Nafarrete said that Ayas is believed to be a member of the  NPA Guerrilla Front, Big Beautiful Country or BBC.

Nafarrete explained that the BBC refers to Mt. Malindang, a lush mountain straddling Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental and where the NPA held its maiden press conference in 1985.

Ayas and his two companions — identified as Jessel Cabal alias Sabel and Nelboy Baron alias Jundy — were reportedly recruiting new members for the front in Barangay Saad since August  this year.

Meantime, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command acting commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas commended the troops for their vigilance.

"I urge the remaining NPAs to come out and end their useless battle," said Rojas. "Our troops will continue to press on until all areas will be cleared from traces of terrorism."