PAGADIAN CITY – Government troops captured a communist rebel following a clash Sunday in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, officials said.
Officials said the fighting erupted in Balonai village in Midsalip town after soldiers from the 53rd Infantry Battalion led by Sergeant Roseller Delparine caught up with a band of New People’s Army.
The fighting lasted about 5 minutes and soldiers managed to capture Jerry Macabinta and recovered from him a .45-caliber pistol. Macabinta said he is a member of the Section Committee-KARA under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Major Ronald Suscano, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division based in the province, said there was no casualty on their side. “There was no casualties on our side and we captured one rebel,” he said.
There was no immediate statement from the NPA which has been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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