Troops, communist rebels clash

GOVERNMENT troops have recovered ammunitions and subversive documents, including a laptop computer, abandoned by communist rebels following a clash in Zamboanga Sibugay, a military official said Saturday.

Army's 1st Infantry Division spokesman Captain Alberto Caber said the clash broke out around 4:30 p.m. Friday in the village of Palalian, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Caber said the clash broke out when the troops from the 14th Scout Ranger Company of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion were checking the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Palalian village as reported by a civilian informant.

The firefight lasted for several minutes, after which the NPA from the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) fled to different directions.

No one among the government forces were either killed or injured while the NPA rebels were believed to have suffered casualties, Caber added.

The troops, who scoured the clash site, have recovered a laptop computer, 163 rounds of ammunition for AK-47, 16 rounds ammunition for M-14 rifle, 13 rounds of ammunition for Garand, medical items and subversive document of high intelligence value and other personal belongings abandoned by the NPA rebels.