MILITARY troopers seized a firearm and ammunition after they engaged in a firefight with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Tacpao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Saturday, January 19.
Members of the 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were on a community support program in the said village at 4:50 a.m. when they encountered about 10 armed men, a press release said.
The firefight lasted for 15 minutes.
The alleged rebels then scampered to different directions, leaving some war materials.
Authorities recovered from the site a colt caliber .45 loaded with a magazine and nine rounds of ammunition, 200 rounds of M16 rifle ammunition, nine rounds of M14 rifle ammunition, nine rounds of AK47 rifle ammunition, 11 M16 rifle magazines, two AK47 rifle magazines, a commercial radio, wristwatch, and three NPA ball caps.
No casualties were reported on the government side while bloodstains were found at the escape route of the rebels.
In a press statementon Sunday, January 20, Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the NPA, said there were reportedly 12 casualties from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the two simultaneous attacks against the military in the said city.
The rebels said explosives killed the military troops who were stationed on the Tacpao village hall and daycare center over the weekend.
They also allegedly harassed the troops assigned in Binubuhan village.
The group dismissed reports that the military was able to recover some personal belongings and ammunition after the encounter.
They said they are determined in their mission to destroy their enemies.
Symposium
Meanwhile, about 120 Indigenous People (IP)chieftains and members in northern Negros Occidental gathered in a one-day peace advocacy symposium in Barangay Minapasok, Calatrava town on Saturday, January 19.
These were the Negritos Ata and Bukidnon Development Project IP from the barangays of Bagong Silang, and Pinuwayan of Salvador Benedicto town; Celestino Villasin of Cadiz City, Marcelo, Lalong, Minapasuk, Bago of Calatrava town; and Barangay Puey of Sagay City, headed by provincial chieftain Richard Impil.
They said they will end their support to the rebels.
They are tired from the extortion, lies and deceptions and recruitment of their members, Impil said.
The activity was initiated by the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan.
Logan stressed any of their members who will surrender after joining the NPA will be given the opportunity to avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The said government program will help them start a new life for a better future with their families, he added.
He encouraged the IPs to continuously end their support to the rebels and urged the armed group to lay down their arms, and join the mainstream society because the armed struggle is not a solution to any problem.
It only hinders development, he added. (GYM)