CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte – Government troops captured a New People’s Army encampment following a brief clash in Barangay San Antonio, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez, Agusan del Norte yesterday, according to a flash military report.
Lt. Col. Joy Aynera, commanding officer of the 29th Infantry Batallion, said troops engaged the NPA rebels at 9:50 a.m. and overran the camp after a 10-minute firefight.
Aynera said the rebels, believed to be members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, fled to the nearby Mount Ilong-Ilong area.
In his report to Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza, commanding officer of the 401st Infantry Brigade, Aynera said they recovered one M14 rifle, assorted ammunitions, subversive documents, and foodstuffs.
No one was reported hurt in the clash.
“This is a clear indication that the people in this side of the province supports the anti-insurgency campaign as the nearby populace reported the presence of the said NPA armed group conducting extortion activities in the said area,” Aynera said.
“The community can no longer bear the extortion demands and intimidation of the NPA bandits that they reported their presence and we responded as part of our mandate to protect the communities and uphold their right to live peacefully,” he added. (Mike U. Crismundo)
