83 families displaced after AFP-NPA armed encounter in Surigao

MANILA, Philippines—About 83 families or 316 persons were displaced following an encounter between the military and communist rebels in Anomar village, Surigao City Sunday noon, the military said.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon said the internally displaced persons were now being assisted by local government units in Tambis village, Barobo town in Surigao del Sur. They were served in the following areas: Agutay Daycare Center, sitio Dinuy-an, Malinao Elementary School and Malinao High School.

Troops from the 75th Infantry Battalion were on community security patrol when it encountered about five New People’s Army rebels in sitio Upper Sangay around 12 noon. One soldier was injured in the 10-minute fire fight.

Private First Class Victor Damaso was immediately given first-aid treatment, Galon said.

Meanwhile, the soldiers were able to recover one anti-personnel mine, 10 blasting caps and other personal belongings from the enemy, he added.

Bloodstains were also in the vicinity, which indicated casualties on the enemy side, Galon said.