2 NPA rebels, soldier killed in Albay

By Connie Destura LEGAZPI CITY—At least two suspected members of New People’s Army (NPA) and a government soldier were killed on Tuesday in a clash in Barangay of them Joroan in Tiwi in Albay, said Albay Provincial Police Office (APPO) spokesperson PCI Arthur Gomez. Gomez, quoting an initial report, said that around 8:30a.m., a platoon of Army soldiers on combat patrol engaged a 30-man group of suspected NPA guerrillas in a 15-minute firefight in which two were reportedly killed. Gomez said the identities of the slain suspected rebels are yet to be determined as their bodies are still being transported to the town hall for identification and documentation purposes. Recovered from the encounter scene were four M16 rifles and 2 M203 grenade launcher, 2 bandolier with 7 magazines with ammunitions, 13 backpacks, 2 cellphones,1 icom radio, 2 landmines, subversives documents and the temporary encampment were seized. Army soldiers are still in hot pursuit operation and scouring the possible neighboring areas where the remaining NPA rebels could have sought refuge.