Rebels. INQUIRER File Photo
BAGUIO CITY — Government soldiers and suspected New People’s Army rebels figured in an armed encounter Friday in Balbalan town, Kalinga province, authorities said.
The Army said the government troops belonged to the 54th Infantry Battalion under the 503rd Infantry Brigade.
An initial report said the rebels were “remnants” of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Baggas in Kalinga.
It was not immediately known if there were casualties on either side.
On Thursday, soldiers captured a wounded NPA rebel allegedly abandoned by his companions in Sitio (sub-village) Saleng, Barangay Balantoy, also in Balbalan.
The military identified the captured rebel as Gap-idan Claver Bawit, known by the aliases Akma and Simple.
He was reportedly left behind by his comrades after two skirmishes near Sitio Danga in Balantoy on May 31.
The captured rebel is facing attempted and frustrated murder cases, the Inquirer learned.
Soldiers took Bawit to the hospital for medical treatment.