Troops clash with NPA rebels in Zamboanga del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - - Government troops encountered more than 30 New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in a remote village of Kumalarang town, Zamboanga del Sur, leaving undetermined rebel casualties, a military official said here.

The gunbattle sparked when elements of the Army Scout Ranger on security mission chanced upon the NPA rebels at Barangay Lantawan about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Maj. Edgardo Amores, acting spokesman of the 1st Army Division, said the troops believed the local communist movement (LCM) members of the Section Committee Kara and Main Guerrilla Unit under the Western Mindanao Revolutionary Party Committee (WMRPC) were gathered for a meeting.

Amores said fighting sparked as the troops pounced on the rebels who managed to take positions after sensing the arrival of the government troops.

The firefight ensued for 30 minutes as the rebels fought while scampering on several directions.

Amores said bloodstains were seen on the withdrawal route and believed the rebels suffered undetermined casualties. No government troop was hurt.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commanding general of the 1st Army Division, said the internal security operation dubbed as Bayanihan will continue to pursue NPA rebels in cooperation with the local government units and different stakeholders. - Roel Pareño