A small unit team was sent for an operation in the area of Dash 7 at Sitio Side 4, Brgy Mangayon, Compostela, CVP to confirm the report regarding the presence of a large number of communist rebels composed of Guerilla Front 25, Guerilla Front 20 and Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 8.
The firefight started at around 10 o’clock in the morning, when the three NPA terrorists who were laying landmines along a road fired upon the troops. The team was able to hold and sustain the hour long firefight where they served as forward observer for the artillery fires towards the enemy location. The delivery of accurate artillery fires and the bravery of the team members despite being outnumbered forced the rebels to withdraw and abandon their camp. The reinforcing 1st Platoon Bravo Company, 66IB, and the small unit who was earlier engaged, conducted the assault which resulted to the seizure of the terrorist camp.
Recovered in the encounter site were one M16A1 rifle, two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), assorted enemy personal belongings, food stuff and war materials. There was no casualty on the government side while the communist rebels were believed to have incurred casualties as per reports received by the unit from the civilians.
“This is a strong statement that 66IB will not allow incursion of peace spoilers in its AO. We have been continuously winning back the mass bases the NPA have gained during the ceasefire," said Ltc Palmer Parungao, 66IB commander.
The encounter is an evidence that many people now are against the communist wrongdoings and are willing to sacrifice for the protection of peace in this part of the region." added Ltc Parungao.
