REBEL LAIR. Some of the personal belongings abandoned by communist rebels in their hideout in the Bukidnon town of Impasug-ong following a firefight with government troops on Thursday, August 1. (Photo contributed by the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Soldiers belonging to the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion discovered a hideout of the New People's Army (NPA) after an encounter on Thursday (August 1) in Impasug-ong town, Bukidnon.
A 20-minute firefight that broke out in Barangay Bolonay forced the rebels to leave their 150-bunker hideout, said Lt. Colonel Ronald Illana, 8IB commanding officer, in a statement released to the media on Saturday.
Illana said the troops recovered four unexploded anti-personnel mines, 100-meter electrical wires, assorted medicines, and personal belongings inside the bunkers.
He said bloodstains were also seen in the rebels’ withdrawal routes.
"The NPAs merged their groups because they are now lacking manpower; they are disintegrating and isolated. The people have spoken and always ready to give us any monitored enemy movement,"' the Army official said.
"To the dependable troopers, again another job well done! Be alert in confronting the terrorist groups especially in handling the anti-personnel mines," he added.
On August 1, the Army's 4th Infantry Division said government troops also engaged about NPA rebels in a firefight in Barangay Bolonay, Impasugong, Bukidnon. (NPA)
