POLICE personnel figured in an armed encounter with suspected rebels in Balangkayan, Eastern Samar on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

Authorities reported, however, that no one was wounded or injured on the government side during the firefight with some 15 rebels that lasted for 15 minutes at the vicinity of Barangay Malvar, Balangkayan.

In the information released by the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas, personnel of 2nd Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, led by Major Rolanda Dellezo, were patrolling in the vicinity around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday when the clash happened.

As the enemy retreated, police personnel recovered from the scene an AR15 rifle with defaced serial number with a silencer, two long magazines for caliber .45 pistol with 20 live ammunition, a 9mm pistol viper 2 with serial number 12323 and with magazine and eight live ammunition, two short M16 magazines with 16 live ammunition, and a shotgun without serial number with six live ammunition.

They also found a sling bag, assorted personal clothing, documents, tent, medicine, and food supply.

Authorities have set up checkpoints for the possible arrest of the fleeing rebels.