Balilihan – The military recovered various equipment belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) after a firefight with communist rebels in Hanopol Norte, Balilihan town on March 9, 2023.
Major Maremias Batillier, Civil Military Operations Officer of Task Group Bohol, said that among the items seized were a rifle grenade, hand grenade, fully loaded AK47 magazine, ammunition for M16 and AK 47 rifles and improvised tent.
Batillier told DyTR News and 91.1 Balita FM that they are still pursuing the more than 10 NPA members who escaped from the encounter site.
He said that these rebels belong to the dismantled Bohol Party Community of the NPA which has been operating in some parts of Bohol province.
He also assured that there were no civilian casualties or injuries during the clash which lasted for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Bohol First District Rep. Edgar M. Chatto and Balilihan Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto visited and extended assistance to 30 families who were displaced by the encounter.
The families have already returned to their homes after undergoing stress debriefing by the Office of Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD).
