Cagayan de Oro City — Special Army forces operating in the hinterlands of the Caraga region killed two New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in separate skirmishes in Butuan City and Surigao del Sur, a top military official announced on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., the newly installed commander of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division of the Philippine Army, stated in a press release that the military continues to achieve significant victories against the Communist Terrorist Group operating in the Caraga region.

These successes come following a change in leadership on Tuesday, 28 January.

On the same day, separate encounters took place in Butuan City and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, resulting in the deaths of two rebels and the capture of two high-powered firearms.

Troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Mark S. Tabon under the 901st Infantry Brigade, engaged approximately 10 rebels in a 10-minute firefight at Sitio Dinakpan, Barangay Los Angeles, Butuan City. 

The encounter resulted in the neutralization of two rebels and the recovery of one Russian-made AK-47 rifle, one US-made Bushmaster rifle, medical supplies, and personal belongings.