Explosives recovered in Army-NPA clash

MIAG-AO, ILOILO, Philippines — An encounter between soldiers of the 82nd Infantry Battalion and New People's Army rebels in this town yesterday noon has led to the recovery of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assorted live ammunition and four back packs containing subversive documents of high intelligence value and personal belongings. 

The firefight, which lasted for about 30 minutes, happened at the boundary of Barangays Dalije and Alimodias of this town, after residents reported the presence of armed men in the area.

Responding government troops, while on security patrol, were fired upon by about 30 rebels, prompting the soldiers to fire back. 

82nd IB commander, Lt. Col. Aldine Almase, said there were no casualties in the clash, but there were traces of bloodstains along the withdrawal route of the rebels.

Almase said his troops acknowledged the effort of the community of Miag-ao for the timely reporting of presence of the armed elements who have been threatening the civilians in the area.

The military have been closely monitoring the activities of the NPA before and during the conduct of barangay elections, and with additional troops being deployed to the area, they are now pursuing the fleeing rebels. — (FREEMAN)