Security forces clash with NPA group in Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Combined police and military forces clashed with heavily-armed communist in Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay province on Thursday afternoon.

Col. Rodrigo Gregorio, spokesman of Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, said that patrolling forces of the 16th Special Forces Company and policemen from the Naga Muncipal Police Station caught up with 15 fully armed members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the interior village of Barangay Sta. Clara, triggering the firefight.

The encounter lasted 30 minutes leaving an undetermined number of rebels wounded. The rebels left behind firearms and assorted ammunitions as they retreated.

The joint military and police troops recovered the firearms and ammunitions including an M203 grenade launcher,  a baby armalite, 148 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 60 rounds of 7.62mm, one clip of ammunition for Garand rifle, and one rifle grenade.

The military have intensified the patrols in several areas infested with NPA to prevent the rebels from exacting fees from any political aspirants campaigning.