Army strikes back: First rebel confirmed killed in continuing Abra operation

Tineg, Abra – The Philippine Army has confirmed the first reported rebel casualty in the continuing military operations against communist insurgents in the mountainous areas of Tineg, Abra, following days of intense pursuit operations.

In an update, Major Ed Rarugal, spokesperson of the 5th Infantry Division, said the slain individual is believed to be a member of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), the regional command of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army operating in Northern Luzon.

According to Rarugal, the body was recovered from the encounter site and later brought to a funeral home in Abra. Authorities are still working to establish the identity of the slain rebel. The latest development comes as government forces continue clearing operations along the Tineg-Lacub boundary, where troops have remained deployed to prevent the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) from regrouping and to sustain peace and security in the area.

The military operation began after government troops encountered armed rebels in the mountainous villages of Tineg, triggering a series of armed clashes that have continued over the past several days as soldiers pursued the fleeing insurgents through the rugged terrain.

The fighting earlier claimed the life of Corporal Drexler Gumayat, an iKalinga soldier from Barangay Bangad, Tinglayan, Kalinga, who was assigned to the 50th Infantry Battalion. Gumayat was killed while participating in pursuit operations against the armed group during the second encounter. His remains have since been brought home to Kalinga, where he was mourned by his family, fellow soldiers, and the local community.

As of this writing, the Philippine Army has yet to release the identity of the slain rebel. Authorities have also not disclosed whether firearms or other war materiel were recovered during the latest encounter. Military operations remain ongoing as government forces continue to track down the remaining members of the armed group believed to be operating in the area.