NPA amazon dead in firefight

A female member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an armed encounter in Agusan del Norte on Saturday, a military official said on Sunday.

Col. Benjamin Hao, Army spokesperson, said the unidentified NPA member was killed in a short firefight between soldiers and rebels in Kitcharo town.

An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the NPA member while her remains were turned over to the Kitcharo Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

The firefight happened at around 3:45 p.m. in Barangay Hinimbagan when government troops on patrol encountered the rebels.

Residents of the barangay evacuated to the town center after the rebels arrived, according to the Army.

When the rebels saw the female NPA member fall dead, they quickly withdrew and scattered to different directions. —PHILIP C. TUBEZA