MANILA, Philippines—Members of the Philippine Army recovered weapons from communist rebels after engaging them in a firefight in Sitio (sub-village) Kalanganan, San Vicente, Bukidnon Province.
Major Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said that soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Battalion recovered one M16 rifle and one caliber .45 pistol after a 20-minute skirmish against members of the New People’s Army.
He added that the firefight happened at 5 a.m. Tuesday against the alleged extortion unit of the armed insurgents.
“The villagers in the area reported to the soldiers the presence of NPA rebels who were on extortion activities,” Caber said.
Government troops sustained one casualty, though the soldier is in “good condition” as of posting time.
Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, Eastmincom Commander, said that the Army would continue their operations against the NPA rebels.
“There is no let up against these criminals, we are supporting the Philippine National Police in their law enforcement operations,” Cruz said.
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