By Jennifer P. Rendon
Military personnel seized various war materials following two successive encounters between troops from the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) in Valderrama, Antique, on June 10.
The twin clashes yielded 28 rounds of ammunition and 10 empty shells for M16 rifles, 15 live rounds for M14 rifles, 10 rounds for AK47 assault rifles, a Baofeng radio, medical paraphernalia, and personal belongings.
The first encounter in Barangay Culyat, Valderrama, occurred at around 9:50 a.m. between the 12IB troops and around 20 members of the NPA’s Regional Headquarters, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (RHQ, KR-P).
After almost five minutes of firefight, the rebels withdrew toward the north and northwest.
At around 3:30 in the afternoon, the second encounter occurred between the same troops and about 12 fleeing NPA members.
The exchange of fire lasted about 15 minutes, after which the NPAs fled north.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division lauded the 12IB troops and the local populace for their collaborative efforts, which resulted in the preemption of the Communist NPA Terrorists’ (CNT) activities and the seizure of their war materials.
“Let us continue the culture of cooperation and collaboration to prevent the remaining communist terrorists from conducting any criminal activities in our communities,” Major General Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, said.
He noted that a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security for Panay Island is within reach. “And with the support of all Panaynons, we are optimistic that we can achieve this shared goal,” Sison said.
