Government forces have recovered high-powered firearms and overran a New People’s Army (NPA) encampment in Quezon province on Monday.

Capt. Patrick Jay Retumban, public affairs chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said the troops of 85th Infantry Battalion were conducting security operation when they encountered around 20 rebels at the vicinity of Brgy. Jongo, Lopez, Quezon around 10 am.

He said the operation was made in response to the reported presence of the rebels who were conducting extortion activities in the community.

Retumban noted there were casualties but he emphasized there were blood traces seen from the position of the rebels.

“Traces of blood were seen in the area where the enemies were located before they withdrew, while no one was hurt in the government side,” he said.

Retumban said after the fire fight that lasted for about 15 minutes, the government forces overran the enemy encampment in the barangay.

“According to Colonel Elias Escharcha, the Brigade Commander of 201st Brigade, there were 15 makeshift nipa huts on the said encampment,” he said.

Retumba said the government forces also recovered three high-powered firearms and a generator set from the encounter site.

He said the government troops are pursuing its “security operation in order to safeguard the communities against all forms of threat to peace and development.” Robina Asido/DMS