By Mike U. Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – A commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed, together with one of his team leaders, in a fierce gun battle with government troops in Sigan area, Barangay Maragatas, Davao Oriental, early morning Thursday. (MANILA BULLETIN) In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin Thursday afternoon, the Southern Mindanao Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division said Community-Support-Program (CSP) operation troops of the 28th Infantry Battalion (28th IB) were conducting peace and development operations in the hinterland areas in Lupon town when they received information from the Sigang villagers about the presence of the Communist terrorists. “The CNTs are entering Lupon, Davao Oriental and planned to recover their lost mass base there,” the 10th ID said. While conducting Focused Military Operation (FMO) in Sigang area, the 28th IB troops engaged an undetermined number of NPAs in a 20-minute fierce gun fight that resulted in the killing of their commander and his team leader. Many were also believed wounded, according to the 10th ID statement. The slain commander’s group was reportedly part of the Abe Primera of Section Command (Secom)18 of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee. In the same gunbattle, an Army soldier was also killed, while four others were wounded. The identities of the slain rebels and soldier were being withheld, as of press time, pending notification of next of kin. The 10th ID report also said the rest of the Communist rebels withdrew towards north direction of Maragatas, which is considered to be part of the remaining guerilla base of Secom 18. The 28th IB troops recovered two M16 Armalite rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, an improvised explosive device, assorted live bullets and three backpacks containing subversive documents and personal belongings.