AFP gets into 2 firefights with NPA in Cordillera region

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) figured in two separate clashes against the Communist Terrorist NPA Groups (CNTGs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region over the weekend.

According to the AFP, members of the 81st Infantry Battalion encountered a group of about 14 NPA (New People's Army) members from the Kilusang Laranggang Gerilya (KLG) in Sitio Dandanac in Barangay Tamboan in Besao, Mountain Province at 8:40 a.m. on Saturday.

"One Army personnel was reported Wounded in Action (WIA) who was hit at his right arm and back near the pelvic area during the incident, while undetermined number of casualties on the NPA side," the AFP said.

Members of the 24th Infantry Battalion also discovered an abandoned temporary NPA encampment area in Barangay Danac in West Boliney, Abra at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

The facility was estimated to be about 100 square meters, which could accommodate some 18 persons. The area was said to have had remains of food, a roll of wire, and bamboo beds and chairs.

The soldiers searched the area further and got into a firefight with 10 NPA members around Barangay Ud-udiao in Sallapadan, Abra at 3:10 in the afternoon on the same day.

"Firefight lasted until 3:30 p.m. (20-minute firefight) resulting to the wounding of another Army trooper who was hit in his right leg. Efforts to evacuate the WIA was also carried out immediately," said the AFP. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News