By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Some war materials were recovered by the military after an encounter between government forces and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last Thursday.
Military troopers of the Army’s 94th and 11th Infantry Battalions were conducting joint patrol operations when they encountered at least 12 unidentified armed persons around 3:20 pm.
Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Guzman, 94th IB commander, said they responded to reports from the communities about the alleged rebel recruitment activities in the mountain area of the city, and the adjacent municipality of Ayungon town in Negros Oriental.
The 25-minute gun battle resulted in the recovery of an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, a Magnum .357-pistol, four rifle grenades, hand grenade, 15 assorted magazines with ammunition, five backpacks, three bandoliers, three cellular phones, a solar panel, medicines, medical equipment/paraphernalia, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.
No injuries were reported on the military side.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Noel Baluyan, 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde) commander, lauded the accomplishment of the troopers.
He attributed the positive result to the timely information from the locals and the decisive and effective leadership of the ground commanders.
