NPA rebel killed, several others wounded in Albay clash, says military

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines—A suspected communist rebel was killed and several of his companions were wounded when they clashed with government troops in a hinterland village in Oas town Friday noon, a military official said.

Colonel Arthur Ang, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade based in Albay province said the fatality has yet to be identified.

Ang said nine soldiers were sent to remote Barangay Mayag, some 30 kilometers from Oas town proper, to check on reports by villagers that heavily armed men were in the area.

Once there, the soldiers encountered 15 New People’s Army rebels and a 10-minute running gun battle ensued, the military official said.

Ang said the rebels carried away their wounded as they fled.

No one was hurt on the government side, he added.

Soldiers recovered an M16, Garand and carbine rifles and a computer laptop left behind by the rebels.

Ang said three 9-man Army squads were dispatched to the area to track down the rebels.

Senior Superintendent William Macavinta, Albay police director, said he also sent police teams to man checkpoints set up at road networks in the towns of Pio Duran, Guinobatan and Ligao City.