Rebel killed in failed attack at Army detachment in Camarines Sur

LEGAZPI CITY—A communist rebel was killed after a failed attack by the New People’s Army (NPA) at a military detachment in a village in Lupi town of Camarines Sur, according to Army Capt. Mardjorie Panesa, 9th Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson.

Panesa said an undetermined number of NPA rebels, at about 12:04 a.m. on Tuesday, attempted to overrun the Philippine Army detachment in Barangay Casay, Lupi, but soldiers manning the detachment were quick to defend their camp.

The Army soldiers repelled the NPA guerrillas following an hour-long firefight that also resulted in the death of a rebel who was yet to be identified, Panesa said.

Panesa said the slain rebel, who had a bullet wound in his left chest, was left behind by his companions when they fled. Also abandoned were a rifle grenade, 8 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 5 Molotov bombs, a 50-meter electrical wire, a magazine with 16 M16 ammunition, empty bullet shells, a knife, bandoleer and a backpack with personal belongings.

Panesa said blood stains were seen in the path where the NPA rebels were fleeing, indicating that some of their companions were wounded during the gun battle.