MANILA — The Philippine Army and suspected members of the New People’s Army clashed in Ragay, Camarines Sur on Friday.

The encounter between rebels and troops from the 81st Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division began at 8:20 a.m. in the vicinity of Barangay Laguio, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told ABS-CBN News. 

The troops encountered around 7 NPA members, he added.

Low-powered firearms, improvised explosive devices, and subversive documents and similar materials were recovered following the firefight.

Dema-ala said the troops were still conducting pursuit operations against the NPA fighters. 

According to Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the military is working hard to dismantle the remaining weakened guerrilla fronts in the country until the end of the year.

“Hindi naman tayo nag-let go, then ang cooperation ng local chief executives very important kaya nakukuha natin sila. These are community outputs, itong series of encounters,” Galido told reporters in a chance interview at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

“Yes, we were tasked March 31 to finish or really put a stop, and we exerted effort. Continuous ito. CTGs (communist terrorist groups), hindi ganoon kadali, but with the effort of everybody, unti- unti natin silang nadi-diminish,” he added. “The CTGs are on the run. We are on the offensive. No let up pa rin ito.”

Marcos Jr.: NPA has zero active guerrilla fronts

Gov't, NDFP agree to resume peace talks