Army seized 2 high powered firearms in a clash with Ilocos Sur rebels

CERVANTES, Ilocos Sur, September 24, 2011-Soldiers of Charlie Company, 50^th Infantry Batallion under 1^st Lt. Dan Michael Milan and 2^nd lt  Randee Alog seized 1 M16 rifle with magazine and 1 M14 rifle with magazine in the yesterday firefights with rebels at around nine o’clock in the morning in  Barangay Remedios, Cervantes,  Ilocos Sur after it was tipped off by concerned residents here.

Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Chief Major General Jessie D. Dellosa said that Ilocos Sur is one of the provinces scheduled for handover to the PNP and local government unit because of the improved security situation. 

“It happens that in areas declared insurgency-free, the New People’s Army (NPA) simply refused to acknowledge the fact that the populace even the NPA former mass bases do not want this armed conflict (among Filipinos) to continue anymore. The NPAs go out of their way to make their presence felt by regrouping with ragtag elements from other areas in order to show the people that they still have the number,” Dellosa said.

In Ilocos Region, two provinces namely La Union and Pangasinan were already declared insurgency-free.  “It is just a matter of time before Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte will follow suit because the AFP and PNP here joined efforts in addressing all peace and security concerns in the region with the full support of the local governments unit of course”,  Dellosa explained.

As of this report the firefights still ongoing.  “The exact number of casualties on the enemy side cannot be determined yet.  On the government side, Private First Class Jessie Camacho was slightly wounded on his back,” says Delloso. (Jason de Asis)