Assorted firearms recovered in NPA encounter in Northern Samar town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 10): Assorted firearms recovered in NPA encounter in Northern Samar town

Four firearms were recovered by government troops following an encounter with seven members of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Acedillo village in the town of Victoria, Northern Samar this week.

Recovered were one caliber .38 revolver, one caliber .38 pistol, two home-made 12-gauge shotguns and assorted ammunition found inside a house vacated by the rebels.

Lt. Col. Arvin R. Lagamon, commanding officer of the 63rd Infantry Battalion (63IB) operating in the area, said the presence of the rebels was reported by a barangay resident.

A brief firefight ensued when government troops proceeded to the area supposedly to verify the information. No casualty was reported in both camps.

Meantime, the Victoria PNP is now in custody of a certain Ronald Francisco, aka “Gaga” who was positively identified by a concerned citizen from the same place as one of the seven NPA members.

In line with this, 8th Infantry Division (8ID) commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, expressed his appreciation to the peace-loving citizens of Acedillo for providing the vital information.

“It is high time that all stakeholders, especially in far–flung areas, voice out their objection on the NPA presence in their communities. I assure everyone that if we work hand in hand, we can flush out the remnants of NPA rebels from your communities and end their overdue terrorizing presence,” Velarmino said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=661373