Government troops seized three rifles after briefly fighting with communist rebels in remote Balbalan town in Kalinga Sunday afternoon.

A team of the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Tala of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command, said
NoLCoM Acting Commander Brig. Gen. Andrew Costelo said, soldiers were on combat patrol when they chanced upon the rebels belonging to the Komite Larangang Gerilya Baggas at Sitio Tanap, Brgy Mabaca, Balbalan, ensuing into a five-minute gunbattle.

Outmaneuvered, rebels scampered at different directions, Costelo said.

While scouring the clash site, JTF Tala troops recovered two M16 and an M653 rifle including a backpack, one hand grenade, three Improvised Explosive Devices, rebel documents and personal belongings.

A government soldier, whose identity was undisclosed yet, while there are no information if there are rebels who either died or wounded, Costelo added.

The Philippine Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade bared it deployed additional forces in the area and has readied K9 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams for possible troop insertions to ground troops.