Military troops raided a bomb-making camp of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Samar on Monday, killing at least suspected 16 rebels and recovered a cache of firearms.
The counter-insurgency operation was carried out by the military’s Joint Task Force Storm where joint ground, air and sea strikes were launched, according to military spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala.
While ground commanders could not give clearer details, sketchy reports said that soldiers attacked the camp located in Barangay Osmeña, Dolores, Eastern Samar at around 4 a.m.
“The focused military operations conducted by the Joint Task Force Storm in Dolores, Eastern Samar resulted in 16 NPA terrorists killed. Troops also seized 29 high-powered firearms from the enemy,” Zagala told military reporters.
“Figures will be updated once our troops complete the operations,” he added.
Zagala said the operations were launched after soldiers received information provided by the community about the existence of the camp where rebel explosives are being reportedly being manufactured.
“Details of the decisive engagement cannot be revealed as of the moment due to operational security matters,” he said.