2 NPA rebels killed in Samar clash

MANILA, Philippines—Members of the Philippine Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion killed two armed rebels of the New People’s Army in a clash in Barangay (village) in Mahayag, Matuguinao, Samar.

Major Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division, on Tuesday said that government troops clashed with the communist rebels around 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Government troops recovered one M16 rifle, one M16 “baby Armalite,” and one M203 grenade launcher.

“The troops were conducting a peace and security operations when they were informed of the presence of the rebels,” Gutierrez said.

He said that the firefight lasted for five minutes. The government side suffered no injuries, he added.

“There are other rebels who were possibly injured, or even killed,” Gutierrez said. “So we will conduct a follow-up operation.”

He added that reports from the ground forces said that 10 or 20 rebels fought against the troops.

Also, Gutierrez said that the grenade launcher could have belonged to an NPA officer who was using the smaller M16 rifle.

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