Soldier killed in clash with NPA in N. Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines — An Army private was killed in a firefight between government troops and New People’s Army rebels in Magpet town, North Cotabato, the military said Friday.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon of the Eastern Mindanao Command said the identity of the slain soldier was withheld until his kin were notified.

Troops from the Alpha Company of the  57th Infantry Battalion were conducting security patrol at Bagumbayan village when they encountered an undetermined number of rebels led by a certain Totoy Dako  at 11:45 a.m. Thursday.

The rebels fled with their casualties after the encounter which lasted for over an hour, he said.