Suspected NPA killed in CamSur clash

LEGAZPI CITY — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in an encounter with government forces on Saturday in a remote village in Lagonoy town in Camarines Sur province, an Army report said.

Army Captain John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief, said soldiers and local police were on a security operation in Barangay (village) Olas at around 8:20 a.m. when they encountered a 15-man communist rebel.

A running gun battle ensued resulting in the death of a rebel and the recovery of two M16, an M653, AK47 rifles left behind by fleeing insurgents.

Belleza said the body of the slain rebel would be turned over to the police for identification.

CFC