Stash of rebel ammunition recovered in Sorsogon clash

MASBATE CITY, Philippines – A stash of ammunition for high powered firearms were recovered by government troops after a 10-minute firefight with suspected members of New People’s Army (NPA) in Sorsogon City on Monday afternoon, the military said.

Captain Mardjorie Panesa, public information officer of Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said three magazines for M14 and one magazine for M16 were found inside a backpack left by the retreating rebels after a clash with an Army unit under the 31st Infantry Battalion in Sitio (sub-village) Puniton, Barangay (village) Buhatan, Sorsogon City, at around 3:45 p.m. Monday.

Panesa said the soldiers encountered about 10 armed men in a wooded area of the barangay, while conducting security patrol in connection with the ongoing barangay elections.

She said the rebels immediately scampered in different directions after the 10-minute firefight.

No casualties were reported on either side.

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