An individual believed to be a leader of the New People's Army was killed during an encounter with government troops while  his close aid was arrested minutes after the encounter in  Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

Joint Task Force  Central commander Major General Alex Rillera on Friday said that the encounter took place in Barangay Obial, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday.

Rillera identified the slain NPA leader as Rey Masot Zambrano, also known by the aliases Dodong and Tres. Zambrano was the Commanding Officer of the Gilbeys Platoon under the Regional Operations Command of the Far South Mindanao Region.

"The encounter between our troops and Zambrano's group occurred in Barangay Obial, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday that resulted in Zambrano's death, while his close in security identified as Jonas Cabantug, was apprehended  by the soldiers," Rillera said.

According to Rillera, Zambrano was a government target and held a prominent position within the NPA circle and was operating in the Lebak and Kalamansig areas of Sultan Kudarat.

The soldiers also recovered at the encounter site a substantial cache of weapons and equipment, including an AK47 rifle, a.45 caliber pistol, ammunition, magazines, backpacks, cellular phones and rain boots.

Military dossiers listed Zambrano as facing warrants of arrest for robbery, attempted murder and murder.

On 13 August 2023, state troops also killed Joseph Longan, known as alias Michael, NPA commanding officer of the  Beijing Platoon, Sub-Regional Command-Daguma, FSMR in an encounter.

Rillera also continued his appeal to the NPA's remaining members to surrender to government forces and live a new life in the community  together with their families.