TACLOBAN CITY: The Philippine Army recovered on Tuesday firearms after a clash with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Catubig, Northern Samar. Found are one M16 rifle with an attached M203 grenade launcher, an M653 baby Armalite, and personal belongings abandoned by members of the NPA sub-regional guerrilla unit, sub-regional committee arctic. Acting on tips from villagers, troops from the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion chased a group of armed rebels in C.M. Recto village in Catubig town. After a brief armed encounter, the rebels retreated and left some of their firearms.

According to Philippines News Agency, the encounter highlights the military’s unwavering commitment to protecting the people. Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the 20th Infantry Battalion, stated, “Our troops acted swiftly, forcing the communist terrorist group to retreat and abandon their intent to disrupt peace and security.” Villaflor urged the remaining NPA members to surrender and embrace the government’s reintegration
programs.

The series of gun battles in remote villages of Catubig began on November 5 after soldiers responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area. Two rebels, including a high-ranking leader of the NPA, died during the gun battle with soldiers in upland Sulitan village in Catubig town.

During the hot pursuit on November 11, government troops uncovered the remains of an infant in an abandoned NPA lair in the mountains of Catubig town, indicating a possible violation of human rights and International Humanitarian Law.