Philippine Army troops clash with NPA rebels

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 3): Philippine Army troops clash with NPA rebels

Government troops clashed Friday with communist insurgents in Zamboanga del Norte’s Leon Postigo town, army officials said.

Officials said the fighting erupted on a hinterland village where soldiers tracked down the New People’s Army insurgents following a tip off from residents about the presence of the gunmen. The fighting lasted over 30 minutes.

It was not immediately known if there were rebel casualties.

“The rebels were camping in the forested area and believed to have come fresh from extortion activities in the nearby communities of Leon Postigo,” said Lt. Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 10th Infantry Battalion.

Nicolas said they also recovered a handgun, three sacks of provision believed taken from locals and five bags containing personal belongings, subversive documents, medical equipment and rifle ammunition left behind by rebels.

He said troops were sent to track down the rebels. He praised villagers for their cooperation with the military authorities.

“The successful operation is the result of active participation and cooperation of the community to our government programs. The poor communities are now exhausted to the extortion demands of the rebels,” Nicolas said.

The rebels have been fighting for decades now trying to overthrow the democratic government and install a communist state in the country.

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