Suspected rebel slain in Masbate clash

LEGAZPI CITY – A suspected member of New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter in Aroroy town in Masbate province on Friday.

Brigadier General Greg Almerol, commander of Philippine Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade, said soldiers and policemen were conducting a combat operation when they encountered seven NPA rebels in Barangay (village) Cabas around 6:45 a.m.

Suspected rebel Nelson Rabino, aka “Masoy,”was killed in the firefight that lasted for 10 minutes. The other rebels fled.

Soldiers also recovered a caliber .45 gun and a claymore mine, a type of explosive.