Alleged NPA rebel slain in Compostela Valley clash

DAVAO CITY — A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a hinterland village in Pantukan town, Compostela Valley province after a 15-minute firefight with government troops on Tuesday.

A platoon of the Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion were patrolling the vicinity of Sitio  Sudlon, Barangay Tagugpo in Davao City around 5:45 a.m. when they clashed with a group of armed men believed to be NPA rebels, according to Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, Southern Mindanao police spokesperson.

The rebels left behind one of their slain comrades.

Troops recovered from the site, a cal. 45 pistol and several rounds of ammunition in its magazine, Driz said.

Driz said the body was temporarily laid at the Tagugpo village hall.

All police stations in Compostela Valley and the provincial mobile force have been alerted to intercept the fleeing rebels.