ARMY troopers from 14th Infantry Battalion clashed with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Silago, Southern Leyte Sunday, August 30, but no casualties were reported among the government forces.
Reports reaching from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas headquarters said the 20-minute firefight happened at 5:45 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Anahawan, Barangay Poblacion District 2 in Silago town.
Second Lieutenant Gerry Provida, who led the 14th Infantry Battalion’s Second Platoon, Bravo Company, said they encountered more or less five NPA rebels from SRC Levox in the area while conducting focused military operation.
In a report, he identified the rebel leader as Fermin Gozon, alias Jaguar.
After the firefight, the rebels withdrew towards northeast direction to Barangay Kikilo, Abuyog, Leyte.
The army troopers have yet to determine the number of casualties on the enemy side.
Recovered in the area were three civilian bags with personal belongings, food supplies, hammocks, toiletries, clothes, one piece 5.56 ammunition, and subversive documents, among others.
Responding elements from Silago Municipal Police Station led by Lieutenant Ronnie Abendan, officer in charge, also proceeded to the said area after receiving information from a concerned citizen. (SunStar Philippines)