New People’s Army. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Soldiers clashed with communist rebels in Surigao del Norte on Sunday, the military said.
Troops from the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion encountered about 20 members of the New People’s Army in Cambuayon village in Bacuag town at 10:40a.m., said Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, military spokesperson.
No casualties were reported on both sides from the 30-minute clash, but soldiers were able to recover four AK47 rifles and personal belongings from the rebels.
The communist insurgents were believed to be from the SPP 16 of Guerrilla Front 16 operating in the area.
“Operations are still on-going as of this time. Elements from the 30IB and the Army’s 4th Infantry Division are currently scouring the area to hunt down fleeing rebels while two companies were deployed to conduct blocking operations in the area,” Zagala said.
The Philippine National Police recently announced that over 1,000 AK47 rifles that went missing at their police headquarters went to the NPA guerrillas.
Charges are waiting to be filed against 19 police personnel likely accountable. They allegedly sold the firearms to the NPA.
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