CONFISCATED FROM THE REBELS. The firearms, ammunition and other items seized by joint army and police troopers after their encounter with the New People’s Army rebels at Sitio Puting Bato, Barangay Washington in Escalante City, Negros Occidental Friday morning (November 16, 2018). (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY -- Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed and firearms and ammunition were seized by joint army and police troopers following an encounter at Sitio Puting Bato, Barangay Washington in Escalante City, Negros Occidental late Friday morning.
This was confirmed by the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in a report, stating that those who engaged the NPAs in a firefight were personnel of the 79th Infantry Battalion, the 6th Special Action Force Battalion, and the Joint Intelligence Task Group.
Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Brigade, said the gun battle, which started around 10 a.m. and lasted for about 15 minutes. The rebels subsequently withdrew, bringing the bodies of their dead members with them.
There was no casualty among the government troops, who responded after they received reports from concerned citizens about the presence of about 10 rebels in the area.
The joint team seized an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, a bandolier with six steel magazines, and 120 pieces of live ammunition.
The rebels also left behind two water containers, two sacks of rice, various personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value, the report said.
“We cannot wait for the NPAs to attack us. We will attack them first before they attack us. I want the troops to go out and run after the NPAs,” Arevalo said, reiterating his order to the troops on Negros Island.
He also encouraged the Negrenses to support the government troops and report any NPA activity in their communities.
Arevalo said the public can provide information on the presence of rebels and extortion activities by calling or texting the 303rd Infantry Brigade hotline number 0956-328-2415.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054134
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