Cop, 3 rebels killed in Zambales encounter

MANILA, Philippines—A cop and three rebels were killed in an armed encounter in Zambales Wednesday, a police spokesman said Thursday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said that Police Officer 1 Joseph Raymundo was wounded in an encounter between some PNP Special Action Force (SAF) operatives and members of the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) in Candelaria, Zambales.

The spokesman added that Raymundo was rushed to the Candelaria District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Authorities recovered three high-powered firearms from the three rebels killed; two M16s and an M14.

Cruz said that the Zambales police, PNP SAF and the 24th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were conducting a pursuit operation.