NPA rebel killed in Masbate encounter with Army soldiers

By Mar S. Arguelles LEGAZPI CITY -- Army troopers killed a suspected New People’s Army rebel in a clash on Saturday (Dec. 23) in Barangay Ubongan Diot in Baleno, Masbate, report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said. The Army soldiers were on combat patrol at around 7:15 a.m. Saturday when they encountered a group of NPA rebels that led to a firefight, according to Senior Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, PNP Bicol spokesperson. The brief gunbattle led to the death of a still unidentified NPA rebel. NPA rebels fled immediately leaving their slain companion while Army soldiers recovered from the battle scene two M-16 rifles, and an M14 rifle.