SECURITY forces have thwarted a bombing plot of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top military official announced Tuesday, May 5.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the bombing plot was thwarted when troops clashed with some 40 NPA rebels around 6 a.m. Monday at Sitio Balukangon, Pange village in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Sobejana said the troops clashed with the NPA rebels while conducting security operation at Sitio Balukangon, Barangay Pange, Siayan.
The clash lasted for about 45 minutes after which the NPA rebels scampered to different directions leaving behind three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other war materials. No casualty was reported.
He said recovered war materials included one M-60 machine gun; two AK-47 magazines; 289 rounds 7.62mm ammunition; gun barrel; one medical kit; two boxes of assorted medicines; two Bandoliers; one electronic multi-tester; personal belongings; and subversive documents.
"Our enemies are taking advantage of the situation that our country is currently facing; hence, we are exhausting all efforts to thwart their terror plots," he said.
He assured that the Westmincom troops will continue to launch deliberate operations in terrorist-infested areas to clear the communities from the threat groups. (VoxPop Zamboanga)