Army nabs suspected NPA member after 40-minute firefight in Batangas

The Philippine Army on Sunday morning apprehended a supposed member of the New People's Army (NPA), following a 40-minute firefight in Batangas City.

According to 202nd Brigade commander Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Jr., they were able to subdue the man in Mount Banoy in Barangay Talumpok Silangan.

The NPA member was armed with an M-16 rifle, along with a bandolier filled with ammunition.

The firefight broke out during a security operation around 8:50 a.m., when the troops encountered an undetermined number of rebels in the area.

Philippine Army 2nd Infantry Division commander Major General Rhoderick Parayno said they were able to track down the rebels in the area after being tipped off by civilians.

The military and the Philippine National Police have since launched pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News