Troops clash with NPA remnants in Quezon

 Troops clash with NPA remnants in Quezon 

CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal - Soldiers of the Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division seized NPA war materiel following an encounter against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Real, Quezon, Wednesday, April 16. 

Reports from the 202nd Infantry Brigade disclosed that troops belonging to the 80th Infantry Battalion (80IB) conducting routine security operations engaged with the CTG at Barangay Tanauan, resulting in a 20-minute firefight before the terrorists fled the area. 

There were no casualties reported from the government’s side, while casualties from the terrorists’ side are still being verified with the presence of bloodstains at the encounter site. 

Items recovered by the soldiers included an M16 rifle, 14 long magazines, a hand grenade, two rounds of 40mm live ammunition, an ICOM radio, five backpacks, two bandoliers, personal belongings, and several subversive documents. 

The 2ID commander Major General Cerilo Balaoro Jr in a statement attributed the development to the division’s sustained efforts to pursue remnants of the CTG in the area. 

“We remain committed to sustaining the momentum of eradicating the insurgency problem in the region,” said Maj. Gen. Balaoro. 

“We will ensure that the remaining few NPA wandering the area are neutralized for our people to ultimately re-experience the peace that we’ve been cherishing before the existence of these terrorists,” vowed Maj. Gen. Balaoro. 

Maj. Gen. Balaoro once again emphasized the benefits of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for those terrorist NPA who will lay down their arms and choose the path to peace and a new life with their loved ones. The 2ID remains on heightened alert as follow-up operations are being conducted to pursue the fleeing terrorists.