Troops, NPAs clash in Zamboanga del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - Fighting erupted when government troops encountered 50 heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels Friday in a village of Leon Postigo town in Zamboanga del Norte, according to security officials.

The military said the encounter occurred about 9 a.m. and left undetermined number of NPA rebel casualties. No one was reported hurt on the  side of the troops of the 10th Infantry Battalion under the 1st Army Division.

Maj. Edmond Abella, acting spokesman of 1st Division, said the soldiers encountered the 50 NPA rebels at the boundaries of sitio San Isidro, Barangay Sta. Maria and sitio Lapanan of Barangay Morob.

He said the fighting lasted for about 30 minutes. The NPA rebels retreated and withdrew toward the mountain after a number of them were wounded during the fighting as military reinforcement arrived.

Lt. Col. Leonel Nicolas, 10th IB commander, said his forces noticed bloodstains along the routes taken by the retreating rebels.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said the army troops launched pursuit operations while the elements of the Leon Postigo municipal police led by Inspector Norman Tabamo set up a blockade force along the possible escape route.

Security measures have been tightened in local hospital and clinics to prevent the rebels from taking medical personnel.

Huesca said the troops recovered from the encounter site empty shells fired from AK-47, M16, and M14 rifles, medical equipment, personal belongings of NPA rebels, military uniform, food supplies, and documents.