NPA ‘commander’ killed in Albay clash

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LEGAZPI CITY – An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) commander was killed in an encounter between government troops and communist rebels in Oas town in Albay province Wednesday morning.

Chief Inspector Arthur Gomez, Albay provincial police spokesman, said soldiers launched a pursuit operation against suspected NPA members who were seen in the vicinity of Barangay (village) Talisay at about 6:30 a.m.

A brief firefight erupted during which Deomedis Apeniado, alias Commander Delio, was killed. His four companions escaped, leaving his body behind.

The soldiers recovered from a hand grenade, a caliber .45 pistol, five live bullets of caliber .45 gun and subversive documents.

“The exchange of fire between the NPA and government troops only lasted for ten minutes,” Gomez said. There were no casualties on the government side. Sheila Mae J. Sajuela, Intern / CBB