ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Military troops overran an encampment of the communist rebels following an encounter Saturday that left an insurgent killed and several wounded in Misamis Occidental, officials reported yesterday.
Maj. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, chief of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said the troops were on combat patrol when they clashed with about 30 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas at the boundary of Jimenez and Sinacaban towns.
Trinidad said the rebels, who belonged to the NPA’s Committee Sendong, retreated, leaving their fallen comrade and an M16 rifle at the site.
The soldiers also recovered a short rifle magazine, a camouflage combat pack, 42 meters of wire for improvised explosive devices, personal belongings and manuals.
Trinidad said the encounter was a result of the intensified security operation following reports that NPA rebels had been extorting money and goods from residents and traders in the area.