ILOILO City – Troops of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) overran a New People’s Army (NPA) camp following an encounter in Barangay Tigmarabo, Miag-ao, Iloilo over the weekend.
The 61IB soldiers were conducting a security patrol operation around 1 p.m. on Saturday when they chanced upon at least 40 armed men.
They were believed to be members of the NPA’s Suyak Platoon of the Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay (KR-P) under Joven Ceralvo, according to 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson Major Cenon Pancito III.
For 20 minutes government troops exchanged fire with NPA rebels until the insurgents retreated.
“No casualties were reported in our men. We’re still scouring the area,” Pancito said.
Recovered from the clash site were one unit each of a 12-gauge shotgun, homemade shotgun, projector, binoculars and grenade; 10 backpacks; two cellular phones and anti-personnel mines; and subversive documents.
The encounter came a day after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marked its 52nd anniversary on Dec. 25.
The CPP usually marks its anniversary with attacks against the police and military carried out by its armed wing, the NPA.
“More soldiers will be deployed on the ground to make sure that our units – at all times – are at the advantage position against terrorist groups,” Pancito said.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Marion Sison, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the community for being vigilant on the presence of the rebels in the area.
He also reminded the government troops not to lower their guards, especially this Yuletide season.
“Your army here in Panay will continue to protect and secure you from rebels,” Sison assured the public./PN
