Troops, NPA clash in Iloilo; firearms seized
By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – Soldiers and the New People’s Army clashed in Miag-ao, Iloilo on Monday, March 4.
SOLDIERS recovered communist weapons following encounters in Miag-ao, Iloilo on March 4. (301st IB)
The first gun battle with the Southern Panay Front Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay erupted in Barangay Igsolegue and lasted for 15 minutes. The rebels withdrew but were pursued by troops, triggering another firefight in Barangay Igcabito-on.
The 61st Infantry Battalion recovered an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, a rifle grenade, a bandolier, five magazines for M16 rifle, an AK47 rifle, two magazines for an AK47 rifle, an explosive detonator, and seven blasting caps from these encounters.
Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, commanding general of the 301st Infantry Brigade, said these gun battles were part of hot-pursuit operations of an encounter in the neighboring town of San Joaquin on February 28 with NPA rebels who had been extorting locals in southern Iloilo.