ZAMBOANGA CITY – A militiaman was injured as government troops clashed with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Zamboanga del Sur town of Dumingag, a military official said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the government troops clashed with a group of Communist terrorists under the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRC) Monday morning in Barangay Saad, Dumingag.
Herrera said the terrorists withdrew and splintered into smaller groups after the 15-minute firefight.
The injured militiaman, whose identity was not released, is now recuperating at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Soldiers recovered five mobile phones with 21 assorted subscriber identification module (SIM) cards, assorted medicine, foodstuff, propaganda materials, personal belongings, and ammunition.
“Our troops will continue to pursue the enemy to ensure the safety of our people,” Herrera said.
“Should they decide to surrender and lay down their arms, we will accept and accommodate them with open arms. We will see to it that they benefit from various programs offered by the government,” he added.
The encounter occurred a week after an NPA member, identified as Nilo Runat Tambula Jr., was killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Dipawak, Dumingag.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)
Militiaman injured as troops, NPAs clash in Zambo Sur
By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
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