Legazpi City, Philippines – An encounter with troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines left three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels dead in Barangay San Antonio in Milagros, Masbate.
On Saturday, 18 April 2017, the 2nd Infantry Battalion soldiers led by Capt. Jessie Cabangcala were verifying reports of the presence of armed men when rebels fired at the troops around 7:30 a.m.; the exchange of fire lasted for an hour.
Soldiers were able to recover three M16 rifles, an M14 shotgun, a generator set, 23 improvised explosives, and subversive materials among other items from the rebels.
Army troops are on alert in Masbate, a known tourist destination during summer. It has made security preparations for the Rodeo Festival which started on 17 April 2017.
