Army recovers M-16 in clash with NPA rebs

From the Catanduanes Tribune (Jun 14?): Army recovers M-16 in clash with NPA rebs

Suspected New People’s Army guerrillas lost an M-16 rifle and sustained an undetermined number of casualties in an early morning encounter with patrolling soldiers of the Philippine Army last Friday in the mountains of San Miguel town.

A report from 1Lt. Joseph Acleta, spokesman of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in barangay Lictin, San Andres stated that a platoon of soldiers under 2Lt. William Hiponia was on strike combat operations at barangay Caglatawan, San Miguel when they encountered the communist rebels at 12:30 A.M. of June 6.

The firefight lasts for about 15 minutes, after which the guerrillas withdraw towards the hinterlands of Virac and San Andres.

Soldiers recovered an M-16 rifle and found traces of blood at the encounter site and along the routes of withdrawal of the NPA rebels.

The Army said blocking forces have been prepositioned along the possible routes that the escaping guerrillas might take in the two adjoining towns.

http://www.catanduanestribune.com/article/3S50