3 suspected rebels killed in Pangasinan clash

DAGUPAN CITY – Three suspected members of the New People’s Army were killed in a clash with the police on Friday afternoon (Aug. 25) at San Nicolas town in Pangasinan province.

Senior Supt. Oliver Lee, Pangasinan police director, said a team from the police Regional Public Safety Battalion was conducting clearing operations in the mountainous villages of Maliku and Sta. Maria when they engaged the armed men.

Fighting took place on the same area when the police battled an armed group on July 28, leaving a policeman dead and another injured.

Senior Supt. Alan Okubo, RPSB chief, said the bodies of the still unidentified men were still at the site as of Friday night.

The police recovered from the men an improvised explosive device, rolls of trip wire, ignition switch, an automatic pistol, rifle grenades, assorted ammunition and mobile telephones.

The police are hunting down other rebels believed to be in hiding in the fringes of the town. Yolanda Sotelo INQ