ROSARIO, Batangas – The military clashed with the New People’s Army (NPA) on Wednesday, Oct. 5, in Barangay Calantas here.
A team from the 85th Infantry Battalion led by Corporal Jacky Gabayno was patrolling a forested area when they chanced upon 15 NPA rebels at 9:20 a.m.
A firefight erupted that lasted for 20 minutes after which the rebels escaped in the southeast direction.
Soldiers recovered a laptop, documents, and medical supplies.
Batangas Police Provincial Office director Col. Pedro Soliba has ordered the local police to conduct checkpoints with the military against the communist guerrillas in Barangay Mayuro here.
The Rosario police coordinated with hospitals in this town to find out if there were rebels wounded in the gunfight.
Soliba urged residents to inform the police or the military if they have information about suspicious people in their area.