NOLCOM troops drive off Reds in Ilocos Sur

MANILA — Troops from the Tarlac-based Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has successfully beaten off a rebel group during a patrol in Salcedo town, Ilocos Sur Monday morning.

Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, NOLCOM spokesperson, said soldiers from the 71st Division Reconnaissance Company and the 81st Infantry Battalion were conducting patrol operations when they chanced upon 15 armed rebels belonging to the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Platun Sis (Sandino) around 8:30 a.m. Monday.

In the ensuing 30-minute firefight, the NPA band sustained an undetermined number of casualties, forcing them to retreat.

Nato said no losses were incurred by government forces in the fighting.

“NOLCOM will continue to keep the enemy on the run and outbalanced by conducting aggressive, relentless and focused military operations (FMO) in identified NPA lairs in the areas of North and Central Luzon. NOLCOM will uphold its commitment of rendering selfless service to the nation and protect the people’s rights,” he added.