BUTUAN CITY – Troops seized an arms cache of the New People’s Army following an encounter on Saturday, March 4, in Sitio Cogon-cogon, Barangay Manalog, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion under the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade received information from residents about the presence of heavily armed individuals in the area.
Troops engaged some 20 communist rebels and overran an NPA hideout after a 55-minute skirmish.
War materials, including bomb-making materials, office, food, and power supplies, assorted medicines, and personal belongings were recovered in the encampment.
One soldier was wounded in the encounter and the NPA possibly suffered several casualties due to heavy bloodstains on their escape route, said Col. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commanding officer of the Army 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade.
“Our operating troops are still following the blood stains along the rebels escape route of withdrawal, in an effort to get their wounded for possible immediate medical needs,” Anayron said.
Anayron lauded the 8th IB for a job well done.