Suspected NPA member killed in Davao Oriental clash with gov’t troops

DAVAO CITY—A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government troops in Lupon, Davao Oriental, on Tuesday.

The clash has nothing to do with the search and rescue operations that authorities have launched in connection with Monday’s kidnapping incident in the Island Garden City of Samal.

Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, said soldiers were conducting security patrol in Sitio Yauri in Barangay Calapagan around 4 p.m. when they were fired upon by communist rebels.

A 45-minute firefight ensued, resulting in the death of the rebel.

He said soldiers recovered an M16 , an M4, and an AK-47 rifle along with an unexploded improvised explosive device from the encounter site.

No casualty has been reported on the government side, according to Caber.

He said a total of 106 high-powered firearms had already been recovered by various Eastmincom units during past encounters with communist guerillas. Germelina Lacorte/RC