Army seizes NPA gun, ammunition

ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Army 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) seized a gun and ammunition in an encounter with the New People’s Army in Leon town, Iloilo province on Monday, June 5.

Lt. Col. Harold Garcia, 61st IB commander, said that troops conducted combat operations after receiving reports from residents on the presence of armed groups planning to conduct extortion activities.

Soldiers encountered members of the NPA Sibat platoon believed to be under Jenel Tacaisan, alias “Ka Rico,” in the boundary of Barangays Carara-an and Igcadios.

Government forces and the NPA rebels traded gunfire until the communist guerrillas withdrew.

The Army recovered a caliber .45 pistol, four backpacks, 48 rounds of caliber 5.56mm ball for M16A1, five caliber .45 ammunition, a detonator for an anti-personnel mine, an electrical wire, and other items.

Garcia lauded local residents for giving information about the rebels to the military.

“The encounter is the result of our persistent efforts with the community and continued focus on military operations to find and deter the NPA from creating chaos and harm,” said Garcia. (Tara Yap)