By Zen Trinidad
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – Troopers from the Philippine Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade (23Bde) engaged members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in a brief firefight in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, the military reported Friday.
The 10-minute clash, which took place in Barangay Manaul on Thursday, resulted in the recovery of several items left behind by the fleeing rebels. Among the rebel items seized were a shotgun, a generator, a commercial drone, an analog phone and tablet, ammunition, bolos, medicines, backpacks, and hammocks, among others.
Military reports indicated the operation was launched after Manaul residents alerted authorities about armed individuals allegedly extorting households, causing community fear.
Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels are ongoing, while the Mansalay Municipal Police Station has established checkpoints to enhance security in Barangay Manaul and its surrounding areas.
Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, the 2O3Bde commander, urged remaining NPA members “to abandon the armed struggle and avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which assists former rebels seeking to return to mainstream society.” (PNA)
