Troops capture female NPA member, high-powered arms in Abra clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): Troops capture female NPA member, high-powered arms in Abra clash

Government troops recovered six high-powered firearms following an encounter with members of the New Peoples' Army (NPA) in Abra on Saturday.

In a statement released on Monday, 5th Infantry Division public affairs chief Capt. Jeffrey Somera said the troops, led by 24th Infantry Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Dominic Baluga, were conducting security patrol at Brgy Kilong-olao, Boliney town around 3 p.m. on Saturday to verify the reported presence of armed men in the area when they were fired upon by communist rebels which resulted in a gun battle.

Following the encounter, the troops recovered the three M16A1 Armalite Rifles, an M203 Grenade Launcher and Two M14 Rifles.

While there are no casualties among the troops, Somera said they were able to capture a female NPA member.

The Army troops also recovered 15 backpacks with personal belongings, subversive documents, two handheld radios, eight cellphones, assorted medical paraphernalia, binocular and different types of ammunition and magazines for M16 and M14 Rifles.

For his part, Major General Paul Atal, commander of Joint Task Force TALA, which has an operational control over the 24th IB commended the group for a job well done.

“I commend the whole ‘On Guard’ troopers for the successful operation. We prevented these terrorist groups from staging terroristic acts and sowing fear among the local populace of Abra,” Atal said in a statement.

Atal also reiterated the government’s invitation to the local communist rebels to avail of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) to start anew and contribute to peace and development in the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/998555