A SOLDIER was wounded in a firefight against the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the province of Zamboanga Sibuay, military official disclosed Sunday, May 12.

Lieutenant Colonel Don Templonuevo, Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed the firefight broke out around 3:45 p.m., Saturday, May 11, in the village of New Tampilisan, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Templonuevo said the firefight broke out when some 30 NPA rebels open fire while the troops were responding and verifying the presence of the rebels threatening and harassing the residents in New Tampilisan.

Templonuevo said the firefight lasted for around two hours after which the NPA rebels escaped to different directions.

He did not identify the wounded soldier except to say he belongs to the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion.

He said the troops backed by Provincial Mobile Force Company policemen have recovered at the clash site three AK-47 and one Carbine rifles with ammunition, personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value that were abandoned by the NPA rebels.

Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, Jr., Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said they will continue to pursue the NPA rebels despite the conduct of elections.

The 44th Infantry Battalion troopers with reinforcement have launched pursuit operation against the fleeing NPA rebels. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)