NPA rebel killed in Masbate clash hours before Christmas truce

LEGAZPI CITY—A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with Army soldiers Saturday morning in Baleno town in Masbate province, just two days before Christmas and hours before the beginning of the separate holiday ceasefires announced by both the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Capt. Joash Pramis, chief of the 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (9DPAO), said the soldiers surprised some 20 NPA rebels encamped not far from the center of Barangay (village) Ubungan Diot.

Pramis said the government troops were conducting combat patrol after the Army received the information about the presence of an armed group in the area.

Senior Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said in a separate information that the firefight that happened around 7:15 a.m. led to the death of the still unidentified rebel.

Pramis said most of the NPA rebels were able to flee leaving behind their dead comrade, assorted personal belongings, two M16 rifles and one M14 rifle.

Despite the holiday truce between state forces and the rebels which starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Pramis said the Army expects more movement

from NPA rebels as the anniversary of the CPP on December 26 draws near.

He said three encounters between NPA rebels and government forces took place in Baleno during the first two weeks of December.