LEFT BEHIND. Land mines and firearms recovered after the encounter with New People's Army are inventoried by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Some 20 communist rebels engaged government soldiers in a 20-minute gunfight in Leon town, Iloilo on Friday morning (April 12, 2019) (Photo courtesy of AFP)
ILOILO CITY -- Army Soldiers clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels for 20 minutes in Leon town, Iloilo on Friday morning.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the government troops encountered about 20 armed rebels in Nalbang village, Leon.
“The locals were courageous enough to report to us on Thursday the sightings of these rebels, which prompted us to respond immediately,” Batara said in a phone interview Friday.
Citing the report of the public, Batara said the rebels were carrying Anti-Personnel Mines (APC) and land mines, which he suspected to have been “used by rebels in harassing the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Army in the area.”
The government troops headed to the site early morning and prevented the rebels from conducting any ambush.
After an estimated 20-minute crossfire, the NPA rebels dispersed and withdrew towards Agta village in the northern direction, Batara said.
Blood marks were seen at the encounter site, indicating that some of the rebels were wounded. No casualty was reported on the government’s side.
Upon searching the clash scene, the troops found bags, two APCs, two magazine of a caliber .45 gun, one magazine of 7.62 mm. M14 with live ammunition, subversive documents, and medical paraphernalia.
Despite the encounter, Batara assured the public of a safe observance of the Holy Week.
He said tourists are expected to visit mountain spots for religious activities.
Batara advised tourists who plan to visit mountain areas to coordinate with the local government unit, not just in Leon town but in other areas of Panay as well.
“Tourists should coordinate first for them to be guided on their limitations on places they want to visit. We will monitor them because the rebels might have planted landmine(s) and IEDs (improvised explosive devices),” he said.
Batara assured that the AFP is coordinating with the PNP for the conduct of security operations.
The Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067187
ILOILO CITY -- Army Soldiers clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels for 20 minutes in Leon town, Iloilo on Friday morning.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the government troops encountered about 20 armed rebels in Nalbang village, Leon.
“The locals were courageous enough to report to us on Thursday the sightings of these rebels, which prompted us to respond immediately,” Batara said in a phone interview Friday.
Citing the report of the public, Batara said the rebels were carrying Anti-Personnel Mines (APC) and land mines, which he suspected to have been “used by rebels in harassing the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Army in the area.”
The government troops headed to the site early morning and prevented the rebels from conducting any ambush.
After an estimated 20-minute crossfire, the NPA rebels dispersed and withdrew towards Agta village in the northern direction, Batara said.
Blood marks were seen at the encounter site, indicating that some of the rebels were wounded. No casualty was reported on the government’s side.
Upon searching the clash scene, the troops found bags, two APCs, two magazine of a caliber .45 gun, one magazine of 7.62 mm. M14 with live ammunition, subversive documents, and medical paraphernalia.
Despite the encounter, Batara assured the public of a safe observance of the Holy Week.
He said tourists are expected to visit mountain spots for religious activities.
Batara advised tourists who plan to visit mountain areas to coordinate with the local government unit, not just in Leon town but in other areas of Panay as well.
“Tourists should coordinate first for them to be guided on their limitations on places they want to visit. We will monitor them because the rebels might have planted landmine(s) and IEDs (improvised explosive devices),” he said.
Batara assured that the AFP is coordinating with the PNP for the conduct of security operations.
The Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067187
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.