2 high-powered firearms recovered in encounter

From the Sun Star-Davao: 2 high-powered firearms recovered in encounter

TROOPS recovered two high-powered firearms after their encounter with the New People's Army (NPA) members in Barangay Hinapuyan in Carmen town, Surigao del Sur on Friday morning.

Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division public information officer Major Christian Uy said the troops from the 36th Infantry Battalion recovered an AK-47 rifle and an M16 rifle at Sitio Togopon in Hinapuyan after their clash with the rebels around 9:15 a.m.

Uy said two still unidentified rebels died during the encounter, adding that the troops also recovered personal belongings, live ammunitions and subversive documents with high intelligence value from the fatalities.

 

"They are members of the Guerrilla Front 30 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee operating in the mountainous areas of Carmen, Madrid and Cantilan, and all neighboring municipalities in Surigao del Sur," Uy said.

He added that rebels were monitored extorting money from the civilians in the area that prompted Lt. Colonel Anastacio Suaybaguio, commander of the 36th Infantry Battalion, to send troops to conduct security patrol.

But Uy said upon reaching Sitio Togopon, five fully-armed rebels indiscriminately fired upon their troops unaware of the inhabitants nearby. The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes before the rebels withdrew towards southwest direction, he added.

"Some of the residents there saw the NPA rebels carrying their wounded comrades. Colonel Gregory M. Cayetano, commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, then ordered the 36th Infantry Battalion to conduct a pursuit operation against the fleeing NPA rebels," Uy said.

Cayetano, on the other hand, said this is a manifestation that the rebels are already losing their grip from the people in the areas because they are already fed up of their extortion activities that only holds back development.

"Rest assured that we are fully committed to help eradicate insurgency in our area of responsibility," Cayetano said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/09/20/2-high-powered-firearms-recovered-encounter-366661