Soldiers kill NPA rebel in Misamis Oriental

Army troopers killed a communist rebel and seized rebel firearms and homemade bombs early Sunday in new clashes amid an impasse in peace talks.

Army Major Eugenio Osias said troops killed a New People’s Army rebel in a clash with about 20 communist insurgents in a farming village near Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, at dawn on Sunday. Troops recovered two claymore mines, a grenade, a laptop computer and rebel documents.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Jun Pacatan said soldiers wounded about 10 communist guerrillas in another clash near Milagros town in Masbate province. Troops seized four rifles and pistols and 20 homemade bombs abandoned by the rebels.

Years-long peace talks brokered by Norway have stalled over rebel demands for the release of jailed communist guerrillas.  AP