A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed and a rebel camp was seized in separate military operations in Oriental Mindoro and Eastern Samar.
The rebel died after a clash with troops from the Army’s 203rd Brigade in Barangay San Vicente in Roxas town, Oriental Mindoro last Tuesday, the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (ID) said.
Soldiers conducted a combat operation in the area after receiving information from residents about the presence of NPA rebels in the barangay.
The 10-minute clash also resulted in the recovery of an M16 rifle, two magazines, and a medical kit.
The fighting occurred barely a month after an August 12 encounter between Army soldiers and NPA rebels in Baco town, also in Oriental Mindoro, that left three soldiers dead.
The slain soldiers included a junior Scout Ranger officer, 1Lt. Marky John Alberto, a son of former Army chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto.
Government troops seized an NPA camp in Barangay Magtino, Llorente town in Eastern Samar last Monday, the Army’s 8th ID said.
Soldiers from the 63rd Infantry Battalion attacked the camp after receiving information about the rebels who were reportedly extorting money and taking portions of the harvests of farmers.
The military said the rebels were also “intimidating” residents who were suspected of supporting government forces.
“Civilians, weary of weeks of harassment, provided crucial information on the group’s movements and locations, which enabled the troops to track and encounter the armed elements,” said 8th ID spokesman Maj. Oscarito Tobias.
Troops requested “fire support” as the rebel camp was heavily fortified and rigged with anti-personnel mines.
“In response, government forces employed precise fire support that deliberately obliterated the enemy stronghold,” said Tobias.
“An intense exchange of gunfire ensued, lasting for about an hour before government forces subdued the enemy resistance,” added Tobias.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of two M16 rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, magazines, ammunition, rebel documents, five backpacks, and other war materiel.
