Suspected NPA rebel killed in Davao Or. clash

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—A suspected communist rebel was killed and firearms were recovered following a clash against government troops in Caraga, Davao Oriental early Monday, a military official said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said the body of the New People’s Army member was found after the 8:30 a.m. fire fight in Sitio Logdeck, Barangay Caningag.

Troops from the army’s 6th Scout Ranger Company were conducting a patrol when they ran into some 70 heavily-armed rebels that led to the gun battle, Galon told the INQUIRER.

“The troops did not suffer any casualty. They are still scouring the encounter site for the possibility of finding other NPA casualties,” he said, adding two M-16 Armalite rifles were also found at the scene of the encounter believed left behind by the fleeing rebels.