FIGHTING NPA. Soldiers of the Army's 43rd Infantry Battalion based in Lope de Vega, Northern Samar. Troopers from this unit clashed with rebels in Calbayog City on Wednesday (Feb. 1, 2023) and recovered high-powered firearms and explosive components. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army) TACLOBAN CITY - The Philippine Army has recovered high-powered firearms and explosives after a clash with suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in an upland village in Calbayog City, Samar on Wednesday. Acting spokesperson of the Philippine Army's 43rd Infantry Battalion (IB), Lt. Roxane Valenciano, said troopers attacked a band of 20 rebels at the boundary of Cangomaod and Cagmanipis villages, Tinambacan District in Calbayog City, Samar at past 1 p.m. on Wednesday. "The rebels were caught unprepared, and they scampered in different directions during the encounter. We are sure some of them were injured since there are many blood stains in the clash site," she said in