A New People’s Army rebel was killed and a soldier was injured in a firefight in Catubig town in Northern Samar last Wednesday, the military reported yesterday.
The soldiers were conducting a pursuit operation when they caught up with the rebels in Barangay Nagoocan, the Samar-based 8th Infantry Division said.
The troops recovered the body of the rebel at the encounter site, along with an Ultimax squad automatic weapon, an M16 rifle, and an Uzi submachine gun.
“Authorities are investigating the origin of the firearms, particularly whether any were previously issued to government forces,” the 8th ID said in a statement.
The injured soldier was brought to a hospital and is now in stable condition, the 8th ID said.
The rebels belong to the same rebel group earlier encountered by government troops in the same barangay. The clash led to the death of four rebels and recovery of three firearms.
Maj. Jefferson Mariano, 8th ID spokesman, said pursuit operations are ongoing against the fleeing rebels as of yesterday afternoon.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th ID commander, expressed his condolences to the families of the five rebels who died during the two encounters in Catubig.
“The 8th ID will remain relentless in its mission to secure every inch of territory and every piece of equipment that strengthens our fight to establish peace and development in every community we serve,” said Orio.
Orio said the remaining rebels should lay down their arms, return to the government fold, and avail themselves of the government’s amnesty program.
He said the insurgents who want to surrender may coordinate with their relatives for the issuance of safe passage.
