GOVERNMENT troops clashed with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) over the weekend in Agusan del Norte, the civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23rd IB) said.
The encounter occurred at around 11:50 a.m. on Saturday at Purok 7, Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, according to 1st Lt. Roel Maglalang.
Maglalang said that residents reported about the presence of at least 10 rebels at Barangay Lower Olave, prompting elements of the 23rd IB to respond and catch up with the guerrillas, triggering a brief firefight.
The soldiers recovered a .22-caliber pistol, an anti-personnel mine with blasting cap, 30 meters of electrical wire, three cartridges of 40 mm, a hand grenade, three UHF commercial radios, three magazines for carbine rifles, 350 rounds of live ammunition for carbine rifles, five mobile phones, two binoculars, a monocular, one sniper scope and seven backpacks containing hammocks, personal belongings and documents. It was only two days ago when soldiers figured in two skirmishes with rebels in Lopez and Infanta, Quezon.
Lt. Col. Arnold Gasalatan, commander of the 85th IB, said his men were conducting combat operation when they clashed with the communist guerrillas at Barangay Villanacaob, Lopez, at past 3 p.m. on Friday.