NPA rebel, Cafgu militiaman killed in Albay clash

NAGA CITY, Philippines—A suspected New People’s Army rebel and a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit were killed while another Cafgu member was wounded in an encounter between government troops and the rebels in the boundary of the towns of Guinobatan and Pio Duran in Albay Wednesday morning, an Army official said.

A firefight lasting 15 minutes erupted after troops from the 2nd Infantry Battalion clashed with around 20 NPA rebels in the boundary located between Barangay (village) Palanas in Guinobatan and Barangay Matanglad in Pio Duran at 10 a.m., said Col. Arthur Ang, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade of Albay.

The NPA rebel was identified as Jose Acabado, a resident of Sitio (settlement) Danao, Barangay Onggo, Guinobatan, based on an identification card found in his wallet.

An M-16 rifle and a bandolier were also recovered from him, Ang said.

The Cafgu killed was identified as Robert Olgina, a member of the 2nd IB, which was sent by the command to conduct security patrol in the area, while the wounded Cafgu, identified as Guilbert Medallada, was rushed to the nearest hospital.

Local residents reported on the presence of the rebels to the Army, resulting in the clash, according to Ang.

He said field reports said there were a lot of bloodstains in the encounter scene that would indicate the rebels suffered more injuries or casualties.

A pursuit operation was immediately launched by the Army to track the rebels while an autopsy on the bodies of the rebel and the militiaman were conducted by the local crime laboratory.