2 alleged NPA rebels killed in Occidental Mindoro clash

LUCENA CITY, Philippines—Two suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed in a clash with Army soldiers in Occidental Mindoro Wednesday, a regional military spokesman said.

Soldiers were on a patrol in the remote village of Manoot in the municipality of Rizal at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday when they encountered a band of about 20 communist guerillas, said Colonel Generoso Bolina of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command based in Camp Nakar here.

The exchange of gunfire lasted for around 20 minutes, after which the rebels withdrew, leaving behind the bodies of  two male comrades who were yet to be identified, Bolina said.

The soldiers also recovered an M16 and an M14 rifle from the slain rebels.

Citing a military field report, Bolina said the  guerillas were supposedly planning to attack a military detachment in nearby Sablayan town when engaged by government forces.