Army, NPA rebels clash in Abra

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Government troopers clashed with suspected members of the communist New People’s Army in the hinterlands of Boliney town in Abra on Monday dawn.

A platoon of Army soldiers belonging to the 24th Infantry Battalion engaged a group of about 30 rebels in a gun battle in the vicinity of Danac East village at 4:30 a.m., according to Capt. Jefferson Somera, chief of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division public affairs office.

No casualties or injuries were immediately reported in the 30-minute firefight. The Army said it is conducting hot pursuit operations against the rebel group, which is said to be led by a certain Ka Payas. JE