53IB resumes combat operations, clashes with NPAs

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (February 8, 2017) – The members of 53^rd Infantry Battalion “Matapat” Troopers had exchanged gunfire with about ten (10) fully armed men suspected to be members of SYP-KARA, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), the Communist Rebel New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) unit operating in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur at about 1:15 this Wednesday afternoon at the boundary of Purok 3 and 4 of Brgy Mati, Tigbao town of this province.

Col. Virgilio Hamos Jr, 53^rd IB Commanding Officer disclosed that the encounter came when the government  sent a platoon of troops from Bravo Company, led by 1Lt Justin Michael C Rabino to the area after receiving an intelligence report that a group of NPAs were conducting extortion activities in nearby communities.

Hamos said the exchange of fires lasted for about seven (7) minutes as the NPAs scampered to different directions.

The clash is the first in this province after President Rodrigo Duterte lifting of the unilateral ceasefire by the government last February 3, Col Hamos said.

During the past few months, the 53IB in full support of the peace efforts of the government exercised maximum restraint and limited its activities to defensive and security operations, the military official said.

He said, the NPAs on the other hand took advantage of the suspension of military operations to recruit, extort and beef up their ranks which was severely depleted as a result of the offensive operations launched by the battalion prior to the declaration of the ceasefire.

Hamos also disclosed that no government soldier was hurt during the clash and were able to recovered from the encounter site were medical kit bags, backpack, live ammunitions for AK-47, Cal .45 and four (4) cellular phones which were left by the NPAs during their hasty withdrawal.

The commanding officer of 53IB sent additional troops to track down the fleeing rebels.