2 NPA leaders slain in Sarangani

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two ranking members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Maitum town in Sarangani on Wednesday.

Laugo Amad and an alias Saysay were deputy and team leader, respectively, of the NPA’s Front Guerrilla Unit Musa Far South Mindanao Region, Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said.

He said soldiers belonging to the 38th Infantry Battalion encountered the rebels in Barangay La Union at around 10:15 a.m.

There was no reported casualty on the side of the government.

Verceles said Amad was ranked first on the list of most wanted persons in Maitum. The suspect had pending warrants for murder and attempted murder.