2 suspected rebels slain in Sorsogon clash on Christmas Day

LEGAZPI CITY — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an armed encounter with military and police on Christmas Day in a remote village in Barcelona town in Sorsogon province, a military report said on Sunday.

Major John Paul Belleza, chief of the public affairs office of Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said combined elements of Army and police operatives, responding to tips from residents, came upon armed men at the outskirts of Barangay (village) San Ramon at around 8:30 a.m.

The encounter led to a running gun battle between the government troops and a 20-man rebel group. A rebel died at the first clash and troops recovered a M16 rifle and an anti-personnel landmine.

The Army soldiers and the police pursued the fleeing rebels which led to another firefight. Another rebel died in this encounter while another communist guerilla was arrested. The state troopers also seized two M16 assault rifles and documents.

Belleza said that the slain rebels were turned over to the police for identification while the captured rebel, who was not named in the report, would be brought to the Army custodial facility for identification and investigation.

Earlier on December 17 this year, four NPAs were killed while six high-powered firearms and a low-powered gun and several explosives were seized in a clash in Masbate province.

Army soldiers and police units in Bicol are on high alert for the Christmas holidays and the possibility of tactical offensives by the rebel group in connection with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP/NPA) founding anniversary on December 26.

EDV