THE military yesterday said government troops seized a machine gun from suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas after a clash in Sitio Kimutya, San Rafael, Talakag, Bukidnon early last week.
Army’s 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas said that even when soldiers of the 1st Special Force Battalion (1SFBn) were outnumbered they still clashed with at least 30 NPA guerrillas in the area.
“It’s blistering action of a series of gun-battles in the morning and another at noon against the NPA rebels,” said Pueblas.
He said following the gunfight, the soldiers found a caliber 5.56mm Ultimax Light Machine gun with ammunition.
He said the weapon commonly issued before to government soldiers was believed to be left behind by the withdrawing guerrillas.
“The rebels retreated in different directions leaving the machine gun with ammunition,” said Pueblas.
He said the soldiers encountered a consolidation of Sub-Regional Committees 4 and 5 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.
“Retreating NPA rebels suffered great loss as heavy bloodstains were seen in the aftermath of the clashes,” said Pueblas.
The AFP said the operations were a result of intelligence information provided by residents in the communities.
Meanwhile, 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal cited the soldiers in the operations “for their string of successes in degrading” the rebels’ firepower.
“The seizure of high-powered firearms is a significant accomplishment against the enemy who continues to use arms to terrorize our communities and target innocent civilians,” he said.
Gacal said the 1SFBn continues its determined actions of protecting the communities.
“I commend the troops of the 1SFBn for their commitment to securing the people of Bukidnon and bravery portrayed despite being outnumbered by the enemy. Live on with competence and excellence,” Gacal said.
Gacal said the cooperation of the fellow countrymen contributed much to the success of their campaign in ending the local communist armed conflict.
“I further call on our people from the other provinces to work with us and together we will move forward in defeating the communist threat,” Gacal said. (Ben Balce)
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