Military conducts airstrike against NPA in Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines — Fourteen high-explosive rocket missiles from an SF26 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group were pounded against an enemy lair for combat support after a firefight between government troops and security forces at the vicinity of Sitio (sub village) Nabuntoran, in Sampaguita village, Kibawe town in Bukidnon, Sunday morning, the military said.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon of the Eastern Mindanao Command said troops from the Charlie Company of the 8th Infantry Battalion led by a certain 2nd Lieutenant Fulgencio clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at around 5:20a.m.

The encounter lasted about four hours, and resulted to a recovery of two backpacks said to have “high intel value,” assorted clothing, a half sack of rice, assorted empty shells and damaged parts of an M16 rifle.

No casualty on troops were recorded while on the enemy side is not yet determined, Galon said.

He added an assessment is being conducted to determine the result of the airstrike.