ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four government troops were wounded in a 40-minute clash against the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterlands of Davao Oriental, the military reported Saturday.
Lieutenant General Aurelio Baladad, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief, said the firefight broke out early Saturday at Sitio Maitum in the village of Mahayag, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.
Baladad identified the wounded troops as Corporal Oprino Teaño, Private First Class (PFC) Jonathan Avelino, PFC Jake Nacilla, and a militiaman named Nicanor Fuentes.
Baladad said the firefight broke out when the pursuing troops from the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion were fired upon by the NPA rebels at Sitio Maitum.
Baladad said the wounded troops were hit by M-203 grenade shrapnel in the first volley of gun fires.
He said the NPA rebels were part of the group that attacked the police station in Mati City, Davao Oriental last February 15. They splintered into small groups.
He said the NPA fled and were believed to have also suffered casualties.
He said their presence at Sitio Maitum was tipped off by civilians to the pursuing troops.
Saturday’s clash was the second against the NPA rebels involved in the Mati police station attack. The first was last February 18.
“Our pursuit operation is gaining success as the NPA rebels have splintered into smaller groups. We will continue to track them with the help of the community,” Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Eastmincom spokesman, said.
Baladad said the troops have recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle, various ammunitions, backpacks, and documents of high-intelligence value.