New People’s Army. File Photo
LEGAZPI CITY—Three alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while two others were arrested in an encounter on Wednesday morning, August 17, with government forces in Sorsogon City.
Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, reported that while the combined teams of the police, the 31st Infantry Battalion, and the 903rd Brigade of the Philippine Army were conducting an intelligence operation at 6:25 a.m., they had a 20-minute firefight with an undetermined number of NPA rebels in Barangay Gatbo.
The slain rebels were identified as Rene Espano, aka “Anjoy,” Jaime Fortadez, aka “Moy,” and a certain “Tony,” who was also known as “Amon.”
Espano and Fortadez were members of the Larangan 1 of Komiteng Probinsya 3, the report said.
Calubaquib said suspected rebels Janine Chavez and Leopoldo Laririt, aka “Ani,” were arrested during the operation.
Recovered in the clash site were two 5.56 Baby Armalite rifles, a 9-mm Beretta pistol, several bandoliers, personal belongings, and antigovernment documents.
No one was injured on the government side.
The bodies of the slain rebels were placed in a morgue in the city waiting for family members to claim them.
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