CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Troops belonging to the Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) encountered a group of New People’s Army-Communist Party of the Philippines cadres in Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong town in Misamis Oriental on Friday, June 3.
In a statement, the 58IB said the government troops conducted a strike operation at around 10 O’clock in the morning after chancing upon five NPA fighters who emerged from their hideout. The rebels are said to be members of the Guerilla Front Huawei, Sub-Regional Committee 1 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
The Army said that the clash lasted only for about 10 minutes after the NPA combatants withdrew and went in the northeast direction.
The troops recovered backpacks, one scope, personal belongings, medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents in the hideout.
No reported casualty on the government side. The government soldiers have yet to determine the casualty on the side of the NPA, since bloodstains in the encounter site were found.
Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, commanding officer of the 58IB, in a statement on Friday said they need to intensify their operation due to the desperation of the NPA because of their current situation.
"The encounter is a result of the continuous effort and active steps to thwart enemy hostile activities such as extortion and atrocities, especially now that they are becoming more and more desperate with their current situation, not having enough resources and supplies, deprived of food and rest,” Canatoy said.
“These remnants are now hungry and tired as the government troops’ operations are relentless as we really seek to put an end to the insurgency here in Misamis Oriental,” he added.
Canatoy also urged the public to maintain their continuous cooperation by providing vital information that would be essential to stop the insurgency.