2 suspected rebels, soldier killed in Albay clash

TIWI, Albay – Two suspected rebels and a soldier were killed in a clash in the village of Joroan in this town on Tuesday.

Colonel Alden Juan Masagaca, Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade commanding officer, said a team of soldiers were on patrol when they encountered undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas at the village around 8:30 a.m.

The chance encounter resulted in firefight that left three casualties, he said. The identities of the dead were not yet made available to media.

After the clash, Masagaca said soldiers were able to recover undetermined number of landmines, four M16s, two M203 rifles and personal documents at the encounter site.

“The Reds encountered by our soldiers [were] led by alleged NPA commander named Pablo Cuerdo, alias “Ambo,” operating in Albay’s first district, he said.