Troops from the 93rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Battalion (93IB) engaged remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Canhandugan, Jaro, Leyte, on Monday.
The armed encounter lasted over five minutes and resulted in the seizure of a .45 caliber pistol, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and various ammunition.
One soldier sustained injuries during the clash and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
The confrontation was initiated following reports from local residents about armed individuals spotted in their farmlands.
Acting on this critical information, the battalion located and engaged approximately nine NPA members in the area.
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie L. Saclot, commanding officer of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, emphasized the vital role of community cooperation in the success of their operations.
“The information we received from the residents of Barangay Canhandugan about the presence of suspicious individuals in their area prompted us to immediately deploy troops to the area, which resulted in the encounter,” Lt. Col. Saclot stated.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir praised the troops for their quick action in addressing community concerns.
“Once again, the NPA has failed in their terroristic activities due to the invaluable assistance of the populace who informed the soldiers about the presence of unknown individuals in their community,” Brig. Gen. Vestuir said.
He urged remaining NPA members to surrender and take advantage of the government’s Amnesty Program, which offers a chance for reintegration into society and a fresh start.
“I also urge all Leyteños to continue denying any form of support to terrorist groups to advance our collective goal of freeing our communities from fear, intimidation, and exploitation.”
