By Yas D. Ocampo
DAVAO CITY – Troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) captured two rebels accused of extorting money from residents of Brgy. Can-aga, Malimono, Surigao del Norte.
The two rebels were allegedly found in possession of P52,000 in cash.
The Eastern Mindanao Command said they captured both rebels around 5 a.m. last Saturday.
Prior to the arrest, Lt. Col. Allen Raymund Tomas, 30IB Commander, said the two rebels along with several comrades engaged his men in a firefight that lasted some 20 minutes.
The rebels eventually escaped in different directions.
Aside from the cash the two rebels were carrying, troops recovered two landmines, one improvised homemade shotgun, and one ICOM radio charger at the site of the encounter.
Follow up operations led to the discovery of a nearby camp, as well as the seizure of an M-16 rifle, a hand grenade, six landmines, various ammunition, ICOM radio, a sack of rice, medical supplies and subversive documents.