Government forces clashed with communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Mansalay Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, the military said.
The firefight occurred in Barangay Manaul after troops from the 203rd Infantry Brigade received reports of armed rebels extorting money from barangay residents, military officials said.
“There was information from a resident about a group carrying firearms and extorting from households, which caused alarm and fear in the barangay,” the military said in a statement.
Government forces recovered high-caliber firearms, ammunition, communications equipment and personal belongings left behind by the fleeing rebels, officials said.
No casualties were reported in the area, and Mansalay residents were reported safe.
Brigadier General Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, said operations would continue to eliminate the NPA presence in Oriental Mindoro.
He called on remaining communist rebels to abandon their armed struggle and return to mainstream society through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Police have set up checkpoints in Mansalay and surrounding areas to beef up security following the clash.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a decades-long insurgency against the government. It is designated a terrorist organization by the Philippines, United States and European Union.
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