Army troops fend off rebel attacks in Capiz, Iloilo provinces

From the Manila Times (Mar 11): Army troops fend off rebel attacks in Capiz, Iloilo provinces

Alert troopers from the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion has successfully fended off attacks of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Tapaz, Capiz and Calinog, Iloilo on Monday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Victor Llapitan, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, said his men were conducting peace and development works in Barangays Daan Sur and Abangay in Tapaz town and in Barangay Agcalaga, Calinog town when fired upon by the rebel fighters around 2:00 p.m.

He said his troopers fired back and repelled the NPAs after a five-minute firefight.

Information from the civilians in the said areas states that the NPA rebels were planning to attack government vital installations as part of their compliance from the CPP-NPA leadership for the upcoming NPA anniversary on March 29.

Llapitan said the attacks prompted them to conduct pursuit operations against the fleeing rebel group resulting in the recovery of a damaged M-16 receiver, magazine parts, eight rounds of unserviceable M-16 ammunition, seven rounds of live M-16 ammunition and two rounds of M-14 shells.

The 61st Infantry Battalion commander said his men sustained no casualty and an undetermined number of NPA fighters could have been wounded as several blood trails were seen by pursuing troops.

“This incident is significant in our campaign for the security of our government vital installations in Tapaz and Calinog. We will not falter in our commitment to protect the government vital installations and likewise ensure the security and safety of the local communities,” Llapitan said.

http://manilatimes.net/army-troops-fend-off-rebel-attacks-in-capiz-iloilo-provinces/81698/