By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army has recovered a firearm and various war materiel after another clash with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in upland Sulitan village in Catubig town, Northern Samar province on Monday.
Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said in a statement on Tuesday the firefight happened while soldiers were responding to reports about a group of armed men asking for food and medicines for their wounded comrades.
“The troops took the initiative to check the wounded NPA members for possible medication and transporting them to a nearby hospital for proper treatment. However, while en route to the area, they were fired upon by two rebels, leading to a brief firefight,” Villaflor said.
After the clash, government troops recovered one M14 riffle, various war materiel, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
“We urge those still with the armed group to come forward and surrender. The 20IB and Catubig-local government are wide open to assist you in returning to the fold of the law and reintegrating into mainstream society. The holiday season is approaching, and there is no better time than now to choose peace and start a new chapter in your life,” Villaflor stated.
The recent clash is part of a series of armed encounters between soldiers and rebels in the mountain of Catubig town.
It began on Nov. 5 after soldiers responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area.
Two rebels, including a high-ranking leader of the NPA, died during the gun battle with soldiers also in Sulitan village.
During the hot pursuit on Nov. 11, government troops uncovered the remains of an infant in an abandoned NPA lair in the mountains of Catubig town.
In follow-up operations, government forces recovered several firearms, war materiel, and personal belongings of rebels. (PNA)
