Surigao clashes yield rifle, IED

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 4): Surigao clashes yield rifle, IED

A SERIES of clashes between soldiers of the 36th Infantry Battalion and New People’s Army rebels in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on Monday resulted in the recovery of high-powered rifle and an improvised explosive device in the encounter site.

Capt. Francisco Garello Jr., the civil-military operations officer of the 36th IB, told TIMES yesterday that the planned attempt of the armed group to attack the Bolhoon patrol base was foiled when the soldiers fired at the rebels.

Garello said the troops encountered more or less 30 NPA members in separate encounters in Barangay Bolhoon and Barangay San Roque of the same town at around 12:05 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. of April 3.

Troops of Bravo Company of 36th IB were sent to verify the report coming from local folk that armed men were surrounding the Bolhoon patrol base. Meanwhile, another group has set up a blocking force to thwart reinforcement.

Around past midnight, troopers clashed with more or less 15 NPAs for about 10 minutes as they cleared the perimeter of the patrol base.

On the other hand, Garello said soldiers encountered with the 10 rebels who served as a block force in Barangay San Roque of same town.

He said the enemy withdrew and scampered to different directions. Government forces recovered one AK47 rifle and one IED, along with the 150-meter wire.
Lt. Col. Xerxes A. Trinidad, the commanding officer of the 36th Infantry Battalion, credited the cooperation of the community in thwarting the attack. He said it proved that the people are fed up with the lies of the NPA.

“Once again, we are calling on the remaining (NPA) members to lay down their arms and surrender,” he said. “There’s no other option but to surrender or suffer the tragic consequences.”

Troops are still conducting pursuit operations.

http://mindanaotimes.net/surigao-clashes-yield-rifle-ied/