3 NPA rebs killed in CamNorte clash

IRIGA CITY — At least three suspected communist rebels were killed in a clash with government soldiers in Jose Panganiban town, Camarines Norte province, on Thursday, military reports said.

Capt. Joash Pramis, public affairs chief of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division (9ID), said soldiers recovered four rifles and two homemade bombs at the clash site in Barangay Sta. Cruz.  He said the firefight broke out in Sitio Banasi at 6:30 a.m. and lasted for about an hour. No soldier was wounded in the clash.  Among the firearms recovered by government troops were M16, AK47 and M14 rifles, a grenade launcher and two improvised explosive devices, Pramis said.

Col. Ferozaldo Paul Regencia, 9ID spokesperson, said more than 80 rebels had surrendered to the military in the Bicol region.

Regencia assured rebels planning to surrender that local governments, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government would help them. — MAR ARGUELLES AND STEPHANIE FLORIDA