By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army has recovered firearms after launching an attack against the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the mountains of Llorente, Eastern Samar, on Monday.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Brigade, said in a phone interview Tuesday that government troops seized the firearms after rebels belonging to the NPA sub-regional committee Sesame fled away from their hideout following a 20-minute firefight.
“Our troops have not seen any casualty at the clash site. They only found abandoned firearms, backpacks containing personal belongings, food items, and cooking utensils,” Vestuir told the Philippine News Agency.
The operation resulted in the seizure of the NPA lair and the recovery of two M16 rifles, one .45 caliber pistol, five long and short magazines of M16 A1, and one magazine of .45 caliber pistol with five rounds of ammunition.
Lt. Col. Eduardo Meclat Jr., commander of the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion, said soldiers launched the operation on the NPA encampment to continuously insulate and protect the communities from the threats of the NPA remnants in the area.
“Through timely intelligence and the active cooperation of the community, government forces were able to pinpoint the NPA’s exact location in the area. The successful conduct of the combat operation has proven that the people and the communities are already inhospitable to the armed group,” Meclat said in a statement.
Vestuir commended the community’s strong resolve to preserve the peace by not allowing the NPA remnants to regain a foothold and exert influence in their localities.
The official said people in the area are already enjoying the peace, and they don’t want it disrupted by the presence of NPA remnants. (PNA)
