Army, rebels clash anew in Samar town

From the Leyte Samar Daily Express (Jun 25): Army, rebels clash anew in Samar town

Elements of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion have encountered members of the New People’s Army in a Samar town last Friday morning.

The latest skirmish between the government troops and the rebels took place in Barangay Bugho in Pinabacdao town which resulted to the recovery of several firearms from the rebels, Lt. Col.Cerilo Balaoro, commanding officer of 87th IB, said.

The soldiers learned on the presence of about 10 rebels in the area based on the information provided by some residents of the village, Balaoro added.

The soldiers, led by Capt. Taguinay Agoy, went to the area which resulted to a firefight with the rebels who later withdrew after engaging them to a 15 minutes exchange of fire.

No casualty was reported in either side although the government troops were able to recover one M-16 armalite rifle; one M653 baby armalite rifle, among others and NPA documents.

It was learned the NPA rebels belonged to the Section Committee-Southern Samar I of the Samar Provincial Party Committee.

Major General Gerardo Layug, commanding general of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, congratulated the troops who conducted the successful combat operation and for risking their lives in doing their mandate to protect the people from the NPAs.

“I assure the people that we will continue in clearing the interior barangays in the region from NPA influence so that LGUs can implement their programs and be able to provide basic services for the people,” Layug said in a statement.

http://leytesamardaily.net/2013/06/army-rebels-clash-anew-in-samar-town/