NPA dead, soldier hurt in Sorsogon clash

BACOOR CITY, Cavite – A suspected member of New People’s Army (NPA) was found dead after an encounter with government soldiers in Sorsogon Thursday morning, the military said.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (AFP Solcom), said the encounter at Barangay Tagas, Magallanes, Sorsogon, at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday also left a soldier wounded.

The soldier was only identified as Private First Class Tablate. He was in stable condition at Sorsogon Doctors Hospital in Sorsogon City undergoing medical treatment.

Guzman said Colonel Cesar M. Idio, 903rd Infantry Brigade Commander, confirmed that a platoon from the 31st Infantry Battalion was on combat patrol when around 10 NPA rebels fired at them.

The soldiers and rebels engaged in a firefight which lasted for 35 minutes, he said.

Guzman said two M16 rifles, an improvised explosive device and five backpacks were recovered from the encounter site.

Idio said more troops were poured in the area for pursuit operations right after the encounter.