Cop killed in encounter with suspected NPA rebels in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — A police officer was killed in an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar province on Saturday morning.

Patrolman Mark Monge, a member of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) was with his comrades when they chanced upon at least 10 supposed communist rebels in the boundaries of Barangay San Nicolas of San Jose de Buan town and Barangay Mabuhay of Gandara town.

A shootout ensued between the two groups.

For the past weeks, government forces and communist rebels have engaged in gunfights in Eastern Visayas where the insurgency problem remains to be among its major concerns.

Last July 5, at least seven soldiers were wounded when they were ambushed by NPA members who used anti-personnel landmines in Mapanas town, Northern Samar.

Security officers in the region vowed to quell insurgency and encouraged rebels to surrender to avail themselves of government benefits.

READ: 2 suspected NPA rebels killed in Tarlac