INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in an encounter with government troops on Monday in Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Army said on Thursday.
The Philippine Army said at least 20 suspected NPA rebels figured in a 10-minute firefight with elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Lumbayagan, Brgy Maticdum in Tandag City on September 11.
“Residents of Sitio Lumbayagan were very wary of the presence of the aforementioned armed group in their area prior to the incident, so they promptly informed the authorities,” the Army said in a statement.
“The troops then responded right away and launched a clearing operation,” the Army added.
Government forces recovered one M-16 rifle from the suspected rebels. (Jezvette Mapagdalita, INQUIRER.net trainee)