Soldiers kill two NPA officials in Bukidnon

Soldiers killed two long-wanted New People's Army (NPA) officials, Alfredo Sinda Banawan and Joen Hermo Sagula, in an encounter on Monday, March 10, in Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.

Banawan and Sagula were wanted for various crimes including extortion, arson, murder, and drug trafficking.

The firefight erupted when the NPA members attacked soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Battalion who had been dispatched to investigate reports of their presence in the area.

Local residents reported that Banawan and Sagula, along with around 20 other NPAs, were collecting money and rice at gunpoint from villagers.

After the clash, soldiers found four assault rifles, improvised explosive devices, and seven mobile phones at the scene.