Troops seize 9 high-powered firearms from NPA in Davao del Sur

Photo from the 73rd Infantry Battalion

Members of the Philippines Army’s 73rd and 72nd Infantry Battalions confiscated nine high-powered firearms from communist rebels after a brief encounter in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

In a statement on Friday, Lt. China Castro, civil military operations officer of the 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB), said the soldiers were conducting a checkpoint in Brgy. Tacul when four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) aboard two motorcycles approached the station and fired at the government troops, which led to a 10-minute firefight past 11 p.m. on Thursday.

The rebels left behind the high-powered firearms and other munitions as they tried to escape.

The confiscated high-powered firearms included six M16 rifles, two AK47 rifles, and one M14 rifle. Soldiers likewise seized one IED, assorted ammunition and magazines, and 2 Honda TMX motorcycles after the skirmish.

“We have been gaining grounds and materiel against the NPA due to our relentless combat operations,” said Lt. Col. Marion Angcao, commanding officer of 73IB.

“This is also a manifestation that NPA-planned terroristic activities against military, police, and civilians were pre-empted due to pro-active measures we have been conducting with the help of the communities who despise conflict, terrorism and extortion,” Angcao added.                                   /kga