DAVAO CITY - Suspected New People's Army insurgents shot dead an Army lieutenant and an enlisted personnel during an encounter in Talaingod town, Davao del Norte Sunday morning.

Capt. Christina Manuel, public affairs officer of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said soldiers from the 60th Infantry Battalion were on non-combat duty when they were engaged by about 15 rebels in Dagohoy village at 9:54 a.m.

Manuel said the soldiers were on their way to Talaingod town proper “to assess the performance of the troops conducting security service in the area.” 

The fighting lasted for about 15 minutes, after which the rebels withdrew. Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, 10th Infantry Division commander, has ordered pursuit operations against the rebels belonging to the Guerrilla Front 35 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Mapagu said the troops are determined to pursue the rebels, adding that the communist movement is “losing in every front."

"They are struggling with issues from within and from the public as they are facing issues of corruption, criminality, killings, sexual opportunism and power struggle,” said Mapagu.

For her part, Manuel added: “Our soldiers’ supreme sacrifice will heighten the resolve of each and every trooper."

"We will continue to serve the people by relentlessly pursuing our security and development thrust. We hope the people will continue to be on our side and we have high hopes as ever that together, we will prevail,” Manuel also said.