At least one rebel was killed and several other insurgents were wounded in Thursday’s clash between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) members in an outskirt of Pinabacdao,
Captain Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the encounter resulted in the recovery of one M-16 Armalite rifle from one of the slain NPA rebels.
The clash took place 11 a.m. in the upland
“Scores of rebels were also wounded in the said encounter based from the traces of blood, along their withdrawal routes and from the accounts of civilians, who witnessed the rebels carrying their wounded comrades,” Gutierrez said in a statement.
Based on the report of the 87th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Barangay Polangi, Calbiga, Samar, troops under the said unit were verifying an information provided by a concerned civilian about the presence of NPA rebels in their barangay when the troops were fired upon by rebels which triggered a 45-minute firefight.
The military claimed that the rebels were planning to stage an attack against government forces in connection of the upcoming 45th NPA anniversary on March 29 when troops detected their location.
“Historically, the NPAs celebrate their anniversary by conducting crimes and atrocities against the Filipino people before, during or after their anniversary to portray an image of strength in order to intimidate and force the people to support their underground movement,” Gutierrez added,
Maj. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, commander of the 8th Infantry Division said: “I congratulate my men for thwarting the planned atrocities of the NPA rebels. On the other hand, I would like to extend the deepest sympathies of 8ID to the family of the NPA rebel that was killed. It is tragic that he took up arms against the Filipino nation when the Filipino people understand that only through peace can development and social justice be attained.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=627923
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