MikeLigalig.com

One soldier and an undetermined number of suspected communist rebels were wounded in a 15-minute encounter in Sitio Bato-Bato, Barangay Tagbongabong, RTR, Agusan del Norte on Sunday.

Police and military reports said an estimated 20 suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels believed to be members of 21C Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) engaged members of the 1st and 2nd PEACE Development Teams of 75th Infantry Battalion.

According to the Caraga Police Regional Information Office reports, the government peace building teams were conducting security patrol when the encounter took place.

After the NPA rebels withdrew, government troopers found makeshift camp that can accommodate at least 20 persons, police said.

The report said the NPA rebels had occupied the makeshift camp, which is about 200 meters from the encounter site, for three days.

The troops recovered one cooking stove and personal belongings from the makeshift camp.

Sitio Bato-Bato, Barangay Tagbongabong, RTR town in Agusan del Norte province is about 90 kilometers from Zapanta Valley and about 120 kilometers from this city. (PNA)