Army officer slain in clash with NPA in Camarines Norte town

LEGAZPI CITY — An Army officer was killed in a clash with members of New People’s Army in the town of Labo, Camarines Norte province on Wednesday (Jan. 22).

Col. Marlon Tejada, Camarines Norte police chief, said the officer, identified only by his surname, Nopueto, with a rank of second lieutenant, was hit in the first volley of fire at the village of Malaya, an isolated mountainous area in Labo.

Nopueto, according to Tejada, was leading a patrol around 8;a.m. in the area with members of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Co of the police.

The clash with at least 30 rebels lasted for about 30 minutes.

Tejada said an undetermined number of rebels were wounded.

Edited by TSB