NPA rebel killed in Apayao clash

CLARK FREEPORT – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with Army soldiers in Apayao province on Friday (June 8), six days before a proposed June 14 cessation of hostilities between the government the the communist rebels before the resumption of peace talks.

Danao Gualo Besuitan was killed in a 15-minute firefight at 11:30 a.m. between 20 NPA fighters and soldiers of the 17th Infantry Battalion in Sitio (sub-village) Aggingay Bassit, Barangay (village) Malayugan in Flora town.

The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said the military located the rebels based on local information.

In a statement, Nolcom said the military would “continue to deliver hard blows to the NPA terrorists, [to] keep them on the run and [to] prevent them from further conducting hostile actions that are detrimental to the peace and stability of the province and adjacent regions.” TONETTE OREJAS