Suspected NPA rebel killed in clash with Samar police

TACLOBAN CITY — A communist rebel was killed while one policeman was wounded in an encounter in Samar on Monday, authorities said.

The clash occurred when about 50 members of the New People’s. Army raided a police station in Hibangan town at about 5 a.m. Monday, said Senior Superintendent Elizar Egloso, spokesman of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas.

Philippine National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome confirmed the report in Manila, adding that a policeman was also injured.

The slain rebel and policeman were not identified.

Egloso said the six policemen on duty fought back when the rebels barged into the police station, resulting in a 30-minute gunfight.

The communist rebels retreated to different directions when members of the Philippine Army arrived to help the policemen. The rebels managed to bring with them a still undertermined number of firearms, said Egloso.

Bartolome said blocking forces have also been deployed by authorities after the
incident.