5 high-powered firearms found in clash site in Quezon

LUCENA CITY –– Five high-powered firearms left behind by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a village, where they engaged government forces in a firefight in Mulanay town in Quezon province, were recovered on Tuesday.

Captain Jayrald Ternio, head of the public affairs office of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said in a press statement on Wednesday that police and Army soldiers battled with at least 10 armed men suspected to be  NPA rebels for 25 minutes in Barangay Bulo around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The report said the rebels escaped in different directions and left behind three M16 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, AK47 rifles, ammunition, and other personal belongings.

There were no casualties on the government forces. Alleged casualties on the part of the rebels were still being verified.

Ternio said the encounter site was not an NPA camp. “They were just there on a stop-over,” he explained in a phone interview.

“This milestone is a result of the combined efforts of concerned citizens and former rebels in providing real-time information regarding the presence of NPAs in the community being one with the government toward its finishing touches to fully end the insurgency in the country,” said Major General Greg Almerol, 2nd Infantry Division commander.

Government forces have established checkpoints in the area to support the ongoing pursuit operations against the communist guerrillas.

LZB