Sunday, July 15, 2007 Troops seize explosives from communist rebels
GOVERNMENT forces have confiscated a cache of explosives from the communist New People's Army (NPA) following a firefight with the insurgents in Milagros, Masbate, a military spokesman said Saturday.
Army spokesman Ernesto Torres said 9th Infantry Battalion (IB) operatives were conducting combat operations in Barangay San Carlos in the town when they caught up with five rebels on Thursday.
He claimed that the rebels exchanged fires with the Army soldiers briefly, after which the communists withdrew with undetermined number of casualties. The firefight resulted in the wounding of one of the soldiers.
During clearing operations, Torres said the soldiers recovered five improvised landmines and 100 meters wire. "Our men continue scouring the place in the belief that other explosives might be left by the enemy," he said.
Meanwhile, an NPA rebel died in a separate clash with Army's 48th IB operatives in Barangay Dicapinisan in San Luis, Aurora also on Thursday.
Torres said the slain rebel belongs to the NPA's Regional Operations Command, Central Luzon Regional Committee headed by Antonio Romero alias LG/Raymond.
The troops recovered from the encounter site one M16 and M14 rifles after the 25-minute firefight. There was also no casualty reported on the Army side while undetermined number of casualties was inflicted on the rebel side.
Northern Luzon Command Chief Bonifacio Ramos has thanked the village residents for providing the information that led to pinpointing the exact location of the NPA's harbor area. (VR/Sunnex)
