ILOILO CITY – The Army 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) captured firearms and ammunition from the New People’s Army (NPA) following an encounter in Lambunao, Iloilo Monday, August 15.
Soldiers clashed with the Panay Island Central Front Committee for 10 minutes in the boundary of barangays bordering Lambunao and Calinog.
“There are no casualties on the government side, while at least four NPA rebels may have been wounded as evidenced by the blood stains found on their withdrawal route and revealed by reliable informants,” said Capt. Kim Apitong, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
Left behind were AK47 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, a magazine for an AK47 rifle with ammunition, and two magazines for caliber .45 pistol. They also left medicine kits, personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd ID commander, lauded residents for providing vital information to the government.
“The willingness of the local populace to support the Army indicates that the people are tired and sick of the NPA’s terrorist acts and want peace in their communities,” added Arevalo.