3 suspected NPA rebels killed in clash with gov’t troops in North Cotabato

MAKILALA, Philippines—Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government soldiers in the remote village of Biangan in Makilala, North Cotabato, on Sunday afternoon, the military reported.

Lieutenant Manuel Gatus, Civil Military Operations chief of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said Army troops were on foot patrol when they discovered the rebels’ encampment, resulting in a 30-minute clash.

Gatus said three rebels were killed in the encounter. The bodies were left behind as the rebels withdrew to a nearby mountainous area.

Two M16 and two M14 rifles were also recovered from the clash site.

Not a single soldier was injured in the fighting, Gatus added.