Gov't troops, NPA rebels clash in Zambo Norte town

By Leah Agonoy  

Government troops recovered war and propaganda materials from a lair of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) following a 10-minute firefight in the Zamboanga del Norte town of Siayan, officials said Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, commander of the Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion, said Monday's clash erupted while the troops were on combat operation in Barangay Pange, Siayan.

No casualty was reported on both sides.

Herrera said the troops recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle with several rounds of ammunition, medical supplies, personal belongings, and propaganda materials, including an NPA flag.

“We will not stop in doing two things: first, in pursuing the enemy who disrupts peace in Siayan and second, giving chance and opportunity to the NPAs to return to the folds of the law,” Herrera said.

Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade, said they will continue to deploy troops to bring peace in Siayan.

“The brigade will continuously pressure the NPAs operating in the region to induce them to lay down their arms and eventually promote peace and development,” Nicolas said.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, called on the rebels to surrender and avail of the "programs and initiatives of the government, including the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP)."

"It is not yet too late to start a new life in peace and violence-free,” Ponio said. (PNA)