Alleged NPA member killed in Negros Oriental clash

(Photo from Philippine Army)

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay (village) Talalak, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental on Saturday, the Philippine Army (PA) reported.

Personnel of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division and more or less five NPA members figured in a firefight that lasted for eight minutes. Killed in the encounter was a certain Cristanto Estrabela Lagradilla, the PA said in a statement.

Authorities said a high powered gun and slugs were among the recovered materials from the site.

Taken at the scene of the encounter were a KG9 submachine gun, a KG9 magazine with 20 rounds of ammunition, an M16 magazine with eight rounds of ammunition, one magazine for a caliber .45 pistol with three bullets, a bandolier, two handheld radios, and other personal materials, the military said.

The military said the encounter happened after soldiers were tipped by locals about the presence of NPA fighters in the area.

“The troops were conducting combat operations in response to the information given by the local populace on the presence of NPAs in the area,” the military also said.

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/MUF