Troops recover war materials of NPA rebels in Zamboanga del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Feb. 8 (PNA) –- Government troops recovered war materials following a clash on Wednesday with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in this province, an official said.

Lt. Col. Virgilio Hamos Jr., commander of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said the clash occurred around 1:15 p.m. in Barangay Mati, Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Hamos said the clash occurred after troops of the 53rd IB’s Bravo Company led by 1Lt. Justin Michael Rabino received intelligence report that the NPA rebels were extorting from the residents in Barangay Mati, Tigbao.

Hamos said the clash lasted for about seven minutes after which the NPA rebels belonging to the Sandatahang Yunit Panggubatan Kara of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee fled to different directions.

Hamos said the troops recovered four units of mobile phones, ammunition for AK-47 rifle and caliber .45 pistol, medical kits and backpack with personal belongings and documents of high intelligence value.

He said the troops are tracking down the fleeing NPA rebels.

The military continues to assist the police and the local government units in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to expedite the arrest of NPA members in this province.

“We will not allow the NPA to create fear and havoc in any of the communities under Westmincom area of operations, we will make them want to surrender and go back to the folds of the government," Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr, Westmincom chief said. (PNA)
LAP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION