GOVERNMENT troops have seized a handgun and other personal belongings of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels following a clash in the hinterlands of North Cotabato, the military said Thursday, January 9.

The clash, which lasted for about 10 minutes, took place after the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has intensified its offensive against the NPA rebels.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the troops of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion were on security operations when they clashed against a group of NPA rebels at dawn Wednesday at Sitio Pahidlat in Latagan Village, Matalam, North Cotabato.

“As the new decade begins, we are further intensifying our relentless efforts against the different threat groups in our area of operations,” Sobejana said.

Sobejana said the NPA rebels fled to different directions leaving behind valuable items that included one caliber .45 pistol, four units cellular phones, two units motorcycles, two backpacks, eight jungle hammocks, and other personal belongings.

He said the troops are tracking the fleeing NPA rebels. (SunStar Zamboanga)