File Photo
LUCENA CITY — Government forces in Batangas province set up checkpoints on Thursday, Oct. 6, to block all exits for retreating New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after an encounter Wednesday with Army troops in Rosario town.
Colonel Pedro Soliba, Batangas police chief, also ordered to search hospitals and medical facilities in the town for wounded guerrillas.
The report said soldiers from the Army’s 59th Infantry Battalion and at least 15 rebels clashed at 9:20 a.m. in Barangay Calantas.
The battle lasted for about 20 minutes, after which the rebels withdrew.
No casualties were reported from both sides.
The 59th IB, on its Facebook page, said a villager reported the presence of the NPA in the area.
The soldiers recovered a laptop, assorted medicines, communist documents, warfare equipment, and personal belongings left by the rebels.
The military said Calantas was supposed to be the site of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s “Retooled Community Support Program” on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The activity aims to bridge the gap between the government and the barangays to help address the roots of insurgency.
The event includes holding the “Serbisyo Caravan” to help solve the identified issues and problems in the community.
The military did not say if the scheduled activity would push through after the clash.
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