Assorted NPA war materiel seized in Zamboanga Del Sur clash

Troops from Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN has recovered assorted rebel materiel folowing a 10-minute gunbattle in Tigbao town, Zamboanga Del Sur Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by TheCoffee, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA—Troops from Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN has recovered assorted rebel materiel following a 10-minute gunbattle in Tigbao town, Zamboanga Del Sur Wednesday afternoon.

The incident took place around 1:15 p.m. at Baragay Mati, Western Mindanao Command spokeperson Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay said.

She added that troopers from the 53rd Infantry Battalion were conducting routine security patrols in the area when they spotted several members of the NPA’s Sandatahang Yunit Panggubatan Kara, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, triggering a brief firefight.

The rebels quickly fled leaving behind four cellular phones, several AK-47 automatic rifle and .45 pistol rounds, a medical kit, several backpacks filled with personal belongings and documents.

No losses were sustained by both sides in the above-mentioned engagement.

Petinglay said troops are still conducting pursuit operations as of this posting.