Army seizes war materiel after CamSur clash

Government troops recovered a cache of war materiel following a brief clash with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents in Ragay, Camarines Sur, over the weekend, the Philippine Army confirmed Saturday.

According to military reports, members of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, particularly the 16th Infantry Battalion, in coordination with the 9th Infantry Division’s 31st Infantry Battalion, acted on information from residents of Barangay Salvacion who had reported the presence of armed individuals in their area.

The responding troops encountered the armed group, triggering a five-minute firefight before the insurgents fled, leaving behind their weapons and equipment.

No government casualties were reported, while the military is still verifying possible injuries or deaths among the fleeing NPA members.

Seized from the encounter site were five high-powered firearms, an improvised explosive device (IED), six magazines with live ammunition, four bandoliers, multiple rounds of small arms ammunition, a cellphone, three hammocks, and six backpacks containing personal belongings.

2ID spokesperson Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina said the successful operation is a significant blow to the already dwindling NPA presence in the region.

“The recovery of the war materiel marks another setback for the few remaining NPA,” he noted.

The Army credited the operation’s success to the cooperation of concerned civilians and reiterated its call for continued public support in reporting suspicious activities to help sustain peace in rural communities.

As part of the government’s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, authorities say operations will continue to pursue the remnants of the NPA in the Bicol region and elsewhere in the country.