Manila, April 8 -- The Philippine Army has condemned the New People's Army (NPA) for their extortion activities in poverty-stricken communities of Northern Samar despite the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
The Philippine Army's 20th Infantry Battalion reported that 15 members of the communist terrorist group forcefully collected food from residents of Lakandula village in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Tuesday.
Acting on reports from civilians, soldiers conducted a patrol operation to stop the NPA's extortion activities, ensuing a brief gun battle around 2:50 p.m.
The encounter resulted in the wounding of one soldier while the NPA rebels are believed to have suffered casualties as evidenced by bloodstains found in the e...