LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — An Army soldier was killed in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Sunday afternoon in a remote village in San Jacinto town in Masbate province.
Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said a platoon of Philippine Army soldiers were on patrol when they encountered a group of rebels in the vicinity of Barangays (villages) Salvacion, San Fernando, and Pina at around 1 p.m.
A firefight was triggered where the Army soldier, whose identity was not yet released as of this posting, died.
Recovered from the scene of the clash were five M16 rifles and an M203 rifle.
A running gun battle was still happening as of this posting, a police report said.
Police and military checkpoints meanwhile were set up along the boundaries of San Fernando, Batuan, Monreal, and Ticao to intercept the fleeing rebels.