TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Army reported that state troops recovered a firearm and anti-personnel mines after a brief clash with three members of New People's Army in Luneta village in Lapaz, Leyte.

The Army said that soldiers recovered on 13 December a shotgun loaded with bullets, two anti-personnel mines, 50-meters electric wire with switch, a battery pack with five size D batteries, two backpacks, a hammock and a medical kit.

802nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Noel Vestuir said that troops were in the forested areas of Luneta village responding to tips from civilians of the presence of armed men when they engaged in a brief gun battle with three NPA fighters belonging to platoon 1 of the NPA sub-regional committee.

No one was killed in the incident.

"The timely information provided by the residents in the area foiled the NPA's terroristic plans against our people and the communities. It is a notable manifestation that the NPA are no longer welcome or acceptable to communities," Vestuir said.