Thursday, November 13, 2008 Troops recover RPG during NPA encounter
A ROCKET-propelled grenade (RPG) was recovered by the military in an encounter with the New People's Army (NPA) in Laak, Compostela Valley Monday.
The discovery of an RPG, a signature firearm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in the hands of the NPA is solid proof that the NPA and the MILF made a tactical alliance in their fight against the government, said a military intelligence officer.
Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the recovery was a result of the encounter between the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and about 50 rebels from the Guerilla Front 34 at Purok 1, Barangay New Bethlehem around 4 p.m. of November 10.
One rebel and militiaman Melvin Baltonado were killed in the said encounter.
Recovered were one RPG, three Garand rifles, and one shotgun.
Cabangbang said the military operation was launched to rescue Lieutenant Vicente Cammayo who was taken hostage by the NPA in Monkayo, Compostela Valley Friday.
Cammayo, of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, was reported missing after troops clashed with NPA guerrillas in Sitio Anagase in the municipality of Monkayo at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
Three soldiers identified as Staff Sergeant Edwin Audencial, Private Jacob Pasco and militiaman Manuel Bangonan were also killed in last week's clash.
Reports said that an M-60 machine gun, an M-14 rifle and radio equipment were lost in the encounter.
In a statement Tuesday, the NPA claimed victory in last week's encounter in Monkayo. Surprisingly though, the rebel group didn't mention Cammayo's whereabouts.
A military intelligence officer, who requested anonymity, said Cammayo is in the hands of the rebels but could have been hidden in a "mass base" community for safekeeping. The officer said Cammayo's abductors were last seen in the Laak area. (BOT)
