2 communist rebels killed in ComVal clash with troops

TAGUM CITY. — At least two communist guerrillas were killed following a clash with government forces in a hinterland village in Montevista, Compostela Valley early Friday, a military official said.

An improvised landmine and an automatic pistol were also recovered after the 3 a.m. firefight in Lebanon village, according to Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Florendo, commander of the army’s 66th Infantry Battalion.

Florendo said a team from the 66th IB’s peace and development outreach program were conducting security patrol when it encountered at least seven armed men believed members of the New People’s Army’s Front Committee 33, resulting in an intense gun battle.

“During clearing operations at daybreak, our troops recovered the bodies of two male NPA guerrillas, as well as an improvised landmine, a .45 pistol, two cellular phones and two backpacks containing the dead rebels’ personal belongings,” Florendo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by mobile phone, adding no one from the government troops was wounded.