Rebels attack Abra

From the Sun Star-Baguio (Feb 4, 2020): Rebels attack Abra

GOVERNMENT troops braved two rebel attacks in a day in the province of Abra.

Two separate encounters by troops conducting internal security operations in the province against members of the New People’s Army Sunday afternoon, February 2, leaving neither casualties nor injuries.

The first attack happened 1:15 p.m. when the 69th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) led by 2nd Lieutenant Recto Jr. of the Infantry division was fired upon by more or less five fully armed Communist Terrorist Group (CTGs) while conducting combat patrol operations at Barangay Ocup, Pilar, Abra.

The gun battle lasted for about twenty minutes.

The second encounter occurred at minutes later at around 2 p.m. when a platoon led by 2nd Lieutenant Entoma of the Infantry division of the Philippine Army of 73 DRC at Barangay Nagcanasan, Pilar town.

The firefight lasted for twenty minutes as well.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Arcadio Posadas, commanding officer of the 69th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army said soldiers were conducting internal security operations at both areas when they received reports on the presence of said rebels who initiated the attack on the government forces.

The operating troops discovered the enemy camp and recovered one M16 Upper receiver; Fifteen pieces empty shells; One M203 empty shell; Eight pieces M16 live ammunition; Magazine spring; and liters of water.

A continuous scouring of the area is still being done by the government troops to confirm of any casualties on the side of the rebels and to guard against another attack by the rebels against government forces.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1842803