Suspected rebel killed in Mountain Province clash

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela — A suspected member of the New People’s Army was killed during an overnight running gun battle between armed men and Army soldiers at the mountains of Mainit village in Bontoc town, Mountain Province.

The military said the clash took place from Thursday night until Friday morning, after soldiers from the 50th Infantry Battalion pounced on about 39 armed men during a security operation in Mainit.

No casualties were reported from the government side, according to Captain Jefferson Somera, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson and public affairs chief. Two M-16 Armalite rifles allegedly belonging to the armed group were confiscated, he added.

The military said the slain rebel has not been identified and was brought to a funeral parlor where it underwent an autopsy.   /kga