The military has thwarted the New People’s Army’s plan to sabotage a road construction project in Veruela, Agusan del Sur Saturday, reports from the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said the military has received information that the NPA was planning to sabotage the farm-to-market road construction in Sitio Tagbulete, Barangay Del Monte.
According to the report, the rebels were reportedly plotting to attack the soldiers guarding the construction site and burn heavy equipment.
In response, Lt. Col. Rolando Dumawa, 26th Infantry Battalion commanding officer, acted immediately and deployed additional troops to support the soldiers in the area.
On their way to the construction site, the soldiers encountered the rebels who indiscriminately opened fire at them, the report said.
A running gun battle ensued, forcing the rebels to retreat.
“A 20-minute running gun battle ensued before the NPA withdrew out of engagement area carrying their wounded and dead,” Capt. Joe Patrick Jimenez, the Army’s 4th ID public affairs officer, said.
The rebels reportedly fled carrying their wounded and dead comrades. No report yet on the number of casualties on the rebels’ side.
Recovered from the encounter site were four high-powered firearms, one M653, one AK47, and two M16 rifles.
