SEVEN New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a firefight with government troops in Uson town in Masbate on Sunday morning, the military reported.
Maj. Frank Roldan, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division (ID), said nine high-powered firearms were also seized after the clash that broke out in Barangay San Mateo at around 6 a.m.
Roldan said the military conducted combat operations in the area after receiving information from residents about a group of 15 rebels who were reportedly engaged in recruitment and extortion activities.
Roldan said the fighting, involving the rebels from the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya South and troops from the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion, lasted for about 30 minutes.
This led to the death of seven rebels and the seizure of four M16 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, a M14 rifle, one M653 rifle, one Bushmaster rifle, and personal belongings and “subversive” documents from the rebels.
As of Sunday afternoon, Roldan said pursuit operations were continuing against the rebels who managed to escape.
“This successful operation delivers a major blow to the already weakening communist terrorist group,” said Roldan.
Clashes are “not their primary solution to insurgency”, said Roldan as he reiterated the military’s appeal to the rebels “to return to the fold of the law and take advantage of the government’s reintegration programs for a better future.”
“The 9th ID reiterates its call for the remaining members of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) to lay down their arms and help build lasting peace in the region,” said Roldan.
About two weeks ago, Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the strength of the NPA across the country is down to less than 900 men, from a high of 25,000 in the late 1980s. He said most of the remaining rebels are operating in the Caraga and Bicol regions and Samar provinces.
