3 rebels captured in Calbayog City

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 8, 2023): 3 rebels captured in Calbayog City (By Roel Amazona)

CAPTURED. The firearms, military uniforms, improvised hand grenades, and personal belongings were seized from three New People's Army (NPA) members captured in Calbayog City, Samar province on Feb. 6, 2023. The three were apprehended days after government troops overran a rebel’s lair and recovered high-powered firearms. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army has captured three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Calbayog City, Samar province days after government troops overran a rebel’s hideout and recovered high-powered firearms.

The three were identified as Ramil Mapa, Jesmar Morata and Jayson Morata. They were reportedly members of the Front Committee 2, sub-regional guerrilla unit, and sub-regional committee emporium of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee. They yielded firearms, military uniforms, improvised hand grenades, and personal belongings.

"The three were caught on Monday with the use of K9 tracking dogs as part of the hot pursuit operation after a clash with rebels on Feb. 1 at the boundary of Cangomaod and Cagmanipis villages, Tinambacan District in Calbayog City," a report from the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion said.

They are now detained at the Calbayog City Police Station.

The soldiers caught them near the encounter site.

On Feb. 1, troopers attacked a band of 20 rebels in their hideout. Recovered were an M16A rifle, an M653 rifle, two improvised hand grenades, two anti-personnel mines, detonator switches, five backpacks, a bandolier with three magazines of M14 rifle, and personal belongings.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194697