CONFISCATED GUNS. Troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion recover an M16A1 assault rifle and two pistols, along with communication gadgets, such as a mobile phone and two-way radio units, after a clash with Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army rebels in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday (Aug. 11, 2022). The encounter was the second in two days after a male NPA fighter was killed and weapons were also seized by soldiers when they first engaged the rebels on August 10. (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – Troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) have seized more firearms from Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) fighters after another skirmish in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.
The encounter was the second in two days in Sitio Bulasot, Barangay Buenavista, where a male NPA fighter was killed when soldiers first engaged the rebels on Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commander of the 94IB, said in a statement on Friday that his men clashed with about 10 retreating rebels for 15 minutes after receiving information about their presence from residents.
After the clash, troops recovered an M16A1 assault rifle and two pistols, along with communication gadgets, such as a mobile phone and two-way radio units.
On Wednesday, they found an M16 rifle with four magazines and live ammunition, one magazine of M14 rifle with live ammunition, documents of high intelligence value, food supply, and personal items.
“The NPA in central Negros is reaping what they sow. The 94IB will not stop in hunting them down unless they surrender,” Almonte said.
The CPP-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 National Democratic Front (NDF) has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
