Army reports fresh encounter with NPA rebels in Nueva Ecija town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 5, 2024): Army reports fresh encounter with NPA rebels in Nueva Ecija town (By Jason De Asis)

CLASH. Soldiers recover various firearms, subversive documents, and personal belongings from New People's Army rebels following a clash in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija on June 26, 2024. The Philippine Army's 703rd Infantry Brigade on Friday (July 5, 2024) said troopers again engaged NPA rebels in a 10-minute firefight in Barangay San Juan, Pantabangan on July 4 following a tip from concerned members of the community. (Photo courtesy of 703rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

BALER, Aurora – The Philippine Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade on Friday reported another engagement between troopers and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija following a tip from concerned members of the community.

In an interview, 703rd Brigade commanding officer, Brig. General Joseph Norwin Pasamonte said the encounter between 71st Infantry Battalion troopers and members of the Komiteng Rehiyong Gitnang Luzon (KRGL) occurred in the hinterlands of Barangay San Juan on July 4.

“The troops were conducting security operations following a tip from residents about the presence of armed men in the area when they were engaged in a 10-minute firefight with the terrorist,” Pasamonte said.

He said less than 10 rebels immediately withdrew after the gun battle, and the hot pursuit operation is still ongoing as of press time to hunt down the terrorists.

Pasamonte encouraged the residents in Barangay San Juan, Pantabangan, and in the hinterlands of Rizal town, both in Nueva Ecija, to be vigilant and not to support and accept the fleeing communist terrorist group (CTG) in their houses.

“Our military will continue its hot pursuit operations in the area to fulfill our mandate of protecting our people against the terrorists that are sowing terror to our innocent civilians,” he said.

Pasamonte also urged the remaining KRGL members to surrender, lay down their arms, and live peacefully with their families and friends.

The latest encounter followed a clash in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan last June 26 where 10 NPA rebels were killed.

Recovered in the encounter site were 13 rifles, a pistol, subversive documents, and personal belongings.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228377