BAGUIO CITY , Philippines – Members of the Army’s 9th Infantry Battalion seized several rifles allegedly belonging to communist rebels after an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Benito Soliven, Isabela last Monday.
Lt. Col. Glaudiuz Calilan, commander of the 9th IB, said the troops recovered two M653 rifles reportedly owned by rebel leaders identified as Ka Levy and Ka Desa, both political officers of the NPA’s Regional Sentro de Gravidad, and an M14 rifle belonging to Bombo Agta, squad leader of the RSDG.
The rebel leaders apparently left their rifles while fleeing from pursuing troops during the encounter.
Calilan said several rebel returnees have confirmed that the recovered firearms belonged to the three rebel leaders.
Brig. Gen. Laurence Mina, commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade, appealed to local rebels to surrender and avail themselves of government assistance.