Soldiers hunting down NPA rebels from Masbate clash; 2 suspected rebels killed

LEGAZPI CITY — Army soldiers were dispatched on Tuesday, April 26, to pursue 20 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels that engaged government forces in a clash on Monday, April 25, in Palanas town in Masbate province where two rebels were killed.

Major John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (ID) public affairs office chief, said that Army troopers from the 2nd Infantry Battalion and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) spent almost 36 hours tracking down a 20-man NPA group that fled following a 15-minute firefight with soldiers in Barangay (village) Miabas at around 2:50 p.m. on Monday.

READ: 4 alleged NPA members killed in Occidental Mindoro, Masbate — AFP

The joint military-police tracker group was scouring possible neighboring villages of the town where the rebels could have hidden.

The two slain rebels have been brought to the town police station for identification and proper disposition.

Recovered from the fight scene were one M16 assault rifle, a grenade, five anti-personnel mines, two claymore mines, 12 rifle magazines, 320 rounds of assorted ammunition, explosive and communication equipment, and personal belongings.