Soldiers seize rebels' explosive factory

THE Army’s 8th Infantry Division in Catbalogan City seized an explosive factory of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterlands of Paranas, Samar on March 5.

Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo Diaz Jr., spokesperson of the 8th ID, said while Army troopers were performing community work in the upland villages of Paranas town, some residents informed them of the existing explosive production facility located between Barangays Sto. Niño and Pagsanjan.

“The NPA manning the camp were caught off-guard when the government soldiers arrived and prompted them to engage in a brief firefight as they escaped,” Diaz said.

In the course of the firefight, Sergeant Freddie Gusoso was hit on his thigh and was immediately brought to Remedios T. Romualdez Hospital in Tacloban City for medical treatment.

No casualties were reported from the NPA side.

Diaz said the soldiers eventually overran the camp and seized 44 pieces of improvised landmines, one unit of machine for landmine production, 20 pieces blasting caps with detonating cords, assorted explosive production paraphernalia, one B40 type rocket launcher, one improvised round for B40 type rocket launcher and an M16 rifle.

“The 8th ID is now conducting an investigation based on the recovered pieces of evidence from the site with the help of the local police. With the volume and quality of explosives recovered and the geographic location of Samar Island, it is believed that the seized explosive factory has produced landmines for NPA in the Bicol Region and Northern Mindanao,” Diaz said.

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Leyte Samar Daily Express | SunStar.Com.Ph | Thursday, March 8, 2012 | Article Link

Militiaman killed, three rebels caught in Samar clash

MANILA, Philippines- A militiaman was killed while three communist insurgents were caught in an encounter in Samar Monday morning.

The encounter occurred at 7:35 in the morning against an estimated 50 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the vicinity of Barangay (village) Ginbaga, Calbiga, Samar, Lieutenant Colonel Cirilo Balaoro Jr., battalion commander of the 87th infantry division of the Philippine Army, said.

One Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) militiaman was killed after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. He was rushed to the local military hospital but did not survive.

The encounter lasted 15 to 20 minutes, after which four fragmentation grenades, one .45 caliber pistol and one 9 millimeter pistol were recovered at the site along with bomb materials and subversive documents.

A civilian was said to have tipped off the local military detachment as to the location of the rebels.

The 87th infantry division, along with two helicopters, were conducting pursuit operations against the remaining rebels.

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By Matikas Santos
INQUIRER.net

8:21 pm | Monday, January 23rd, 2012

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