Suspected rebel killed in Masbate clash

LEGAZPI CITY — A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed on Sunday morning in a clash with Philippine Army soldiers in a village in Milagros town in Masbate province, an Army report said.

Capt. Joash Pramis, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) public affairs chief, said soldiers were on combat patrol operation when they engaged a 10-man NPA group in a firefight in Barangay (village) San Antonio, at around 6:30 a.m.

The rebel, whose identity is yet to be known, was killed in the brief encounter.

Pramis said soldiers recovered from the clash scene one M16 rifle, a M653 rifle, two improvised explosive devices and subversive documents. /je