By Sarwell Meniano | Philippine News Agency
A soldier was wounded while government troops recovered a firearm and explosives in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) combatants in Jaro, Leyte, on Monday.
Troopers from the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB) engaged in a five-minute gun battle with nine NPA members in Barangay Canhandugan.
A soldier was wounded and immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. He is now in stable condition.
The clash resulted in the seizure of a .45-caliber pistol, three improvised explosive devices, ammunition, and other war materiel.
The encounter stemmed from reports of concerned citizens about the presence of unidentified armed individuals on their farms.
Lt. Col. Charlie Saclot, the Army’s 93IB commander, emphasized the crucial role of civilian cooperation in the successful operation.
“The information we received from the residents of Canhandugan village about the presence of suspicious individuals in their area prompted us to immediately deploy troops to the area, which resulted in the encounter,” Saclot stated.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, lauded soldiers for their swift response to the residents’ concerns.
“Once again, the NPA has failed in their terrorist activities due to the invaluable assistance of the populace, who informed the soldiers about the presence of unknown individuals in their community,” Vestuir said.
The official urged the remaining members of the communist movement to surrender and avail of the government’s services, such as the amnesty program, which offers them a chance to start anew.