A HUGE camp believed to belong to communist rebels was found by soldiers of the 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday morning.
The troops were scouting the area to verify a report on supposed sightings of an armed group in Sitio Alimot, Barangay Salvacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur.
The report was confirmed when the troops spotted the rebels around 9:40 a.m.
It triggered a 30-minute firefight where three soldiers were slightly hurt after the group detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) before escaping.
The camp could accommodate around 100 people, the army said.
In a statement, 67th IB commander Lieutenant Michele Anayron said, "We have received information that the ALG (armed lawless group) frequented Sitio Alimot which is also the possible venue of their anniversary celebration on March 29."
Soldiers who were wounded during the battle were airlifted to Camp Panacan Station Hospital for treatment, the Army official said.
They were identified as Corporal Monday, Corporal Igasan and Private First Class Balucan. The three suffered shrapnel wounds from the IED explosion.
Major General Rafael Valencia, 10th Infantry Division commander, said "our operations will be directed against armed groups that continue to threaten the populace."
He also cautioned people should not go easy in attending any gatherings to celebrate the NPA anniversary as the military is conducting continuous military operations against the rebels. (CCC)