2 firearms recovered
in another encounter in Leyte
By Maj. VICTOR D. TANGGAWOHN JR (INF) PA
November 13, 2006
CAMP LUKBAN,
Catbalogan, Samar – Elements of 83rd Division Recon Company, 8th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army under Lt. Guillermo Mabute
encountered more or less 20 communist terrorists (CTs) belonging to
the NPA’s Northern Leyte Front, Eastern Visayas Regional Party
Committee (EVRPC) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
under Fr. Santiago Salas at vicinity Caabangan, La Paz, Leyte on
November 8, 2006 at 7:30 am.
A report reaching the
8th Infantry Division Headquarters stated that the troops received
information from concerned residents who noticed the presence of
heavily armed communist terrorists in their area. Lt. Mabute and his
men immediately responded and engaged the terrorists in a running gun
battle that resulted to the recovery of one (1) M16 armalite rifle
with one (1) long magazine and one (1) caliber .45 pistol with six (6)
live ammunitions.
The encounter also led
to the killing and wounding of several CTs as evidenced by bloodstains
in the scene of encounter and testimonies from the civilian populace
who witnessed the fleeing CTs dragging along with them their
casualties. There was no casualty on the government troops.
MajGen. Rodrigo F.
Maclang, the 8th Infantry Division Commander commended the troops for
the job well done and said “the capture of two (2) high powered
firearms is a result of our unrelenting effort to neutralize and
counteract terrorists attacks. The NPAs possible plan of inflicting
harm and sowing terror against defenseless and innocent civilians were
then thwarted. We will continue to be on the offensive and will guard
against possible counterattacks from the CTs as they have been
suffering from significant losses in recent clashes. Clearing and
pursuit operations will continue until the terrorists are decimated.”
