Army recovers arms in Masbate encounter

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – Army troops have recovered arms and ammunition after an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Manlotod in Placer town, Masbate early Friday.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesperson for the 9th Infantry Division in Pili, Camarines Sur, said soldiers clashed with some 15 NPA guerrilas in Sitio Tawad at around 12:30 a.m.

Nobody was reported hurt on the government side.

An 18-man team under 1st Lt. Ronnie Garchitorena recovered an M-16 rifle, M-635 baby armalite rifle, caliber .38 revolver, hand grenade, three rounds of ammunition for an M-203 grenade launcher as well as subversive documents.

Col. Felix Castro, commanding officer of the 903rd Infantry Brigade ordered batallion head Lt. Col. Jun Pacatan to pursue the rebels who fled to a nearby barangay.

Pacatan said he dispatched two platoons to pursue the fleeing rebels.

“The poor farmers are already tired of their extortion and human rights abuses,” he said.