Lubuagan, Kalinga (28 July) -- Troops from the Army's 21st Infantry Battalion (21st IB) stationed in this municipality engaged afternoon of July 20 a team of communist rebels who are about to harass the on-going construction of the globe cell site at Barangay Dangoy, this town.

Army 1st Lieutenant Jay Alambra, Civilian- Military Operations Officer of the 21st IB said their troops were on combat operation in Barangay Upper Uma, following reports from civilian sources of the communist rebels' plan, when the encounter occurred.

Prior to the incident, civilian sources have been feeding the military of frequent citing of New People's Army (NPA) in the area, apparently to stop the construction of the project, Alambra said.

The firefight took place for about ten minutes before the rebels retreated leaving 1 dead comrade, who was later brought by the government troops to Upper Uma barangay center for proper funeral care.

The army also recovered 1 unit M1-carbine US rifle with SN 2876972 and 1 unit magnum.22 pistol from the scene of the fight.

According to Alambra, the army is intensifying its combat operation in the area because of reports from residents that armed men, believed to be members of the NPAs are regularly monitoring the place.

This way, we prevent the enemies from possibly harassing our army detachment based at Barangay Mallango, Tinglayan, Alambra said.

The presence of the military has been a factor in the stability of peace in the area, which has been regained by government troops from the control of communist rebels, Alambra said.

He acknowledged the efforts and contributions of civilian residents from the place who feed them intelligence reports about the rebels' activities, which he said is a big help to the government side.

When there is peace and order in a place, government projects and services come in to the ultimate benefit of the people and this is what we protect, Alambra said.

Meanwhile, after 16 months of serving as the Commanding Officer of the 501st "Valiant" Infantry Brigade, Colonel Morales left his post to take a new mission at the South Command.

In his farewell message, the Colonel who served Kalinga since March 14, 2007 expressed gratitude to the officials and non-government organizations in the province for their cooperation during his stint as Brigade Commander.

He said that with unified effort, he was able to accomplish his mission to serve the people and fight the enemies of the state.