Army, NPA rebels clash anew in Surigao Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 12): Army, NPA rebels clash anew in Surigao Norte

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - A firefight between the Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels occurred on Saturday afternoon, July 9 in barangay Tinago, Malimono, this province.

After ten minutes of intense firefight, the soldiers conducting pursuit operation discovered an encampment with 27 molotov bombs, one gallon of betadine (antiseptic) and two pairs of rainboots.

The said encampment can accommodate 60 individuals and has 15 makeshift bunkers and based on the trackings the said encampment has been abandoned for one day.

Civil Military Operations officer Lt. Ryan D. Layug of the 30th Infantry Battalion, Phil. Army confirmed that no casualty on the government side but they believed that there were wounded on the lawless group as traces of blood were found on their withdrawal route.

In his statement, 30IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Rico Amaro thanked the locals for timely report of information and that another terroristic plan was prevented because of community participation.

Amaro further said that people are starting to understand that security is everyone's responsibility.

"We appeal to lawless group to turn their wounded comrades to barangay officials or bring them to the nearest hospital for proper medical treatment. We reiterated that the conduct of pursuit is to apprehend the perpetrators and aid the wounded," Amaro said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2731468249515/army-npa-rebels-clash-anew-in-surigao-norte