Guns, explosives recovered as cops, soldiers clash with CamSur rebels

LEGAZPI CITY – Police and military operatives recovered Sunday morning a cache of high powered firearms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) following an encounter with suspected New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels in a remote village in Tinambac, Camarines Sur.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol regional police spokesperson, said the composite police and military team was conducting intelligence operations when they chanced upon around ten rebels in Sitio (sub-village) Lantad in Barangay (village) La Medalla at around 2:45 a.m.

A five-minute firefight ensued, with the rebels eventually retreating and leaving behind two M16 rifles, 12 M16 rifle magazines, three claymore IEDs, six ammunition for M203, two blasting caps, 60 meters of wire, two units 2-way radio, three cellular phones, a first aid kit, binoculars, and four backpacks.

Calubaquib said no casualty was reported on the government side while several rebels were wounded. /gsg