Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines – Propaganda materials and other supplies were seized by the Joint Task Force in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao (ZamPeLan) last February 8, 2017 after an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) members.
In a clash with the members of the “Sandatahang Yunit Panggubatan Kara” (SYP-Kara) and Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), troops of the 53rd Infantry Battalion seized four cellular phones, several rounds of live ammunition for AK-47 rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, medical kit, and backpacks containing subversive NPA propaganda belonging to the rebels. The firefight lasted for seven minutes.
The government troops under the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan were in the area for security patrols when locals reported the presence of suspected armed earlier that morning the troops proceeded and found the said men in Barangay Mati, in the Municipality of Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur.
As of this report, troops from the Philippine Army are scouring the area of the encounter. Military troops continue to support the police force and local government units in line with intensified operations for law enforcement and to expedite the arrest of NPA members in the said clash.
