NPA rebel slain in Masbate clash

By Celso Amo LEGAZPI CITY --- A New People’s Army(NPA) rebel was killed Sunday morning during an encounter with elements from the 2nd Infantry, 22nd Infantry Batallion and 96 Military Intelligence Company in Milagros, Masbate. Capt. Joas Pramis, 9th Division(Spear) public affairs officer based in Pili, Camarines Sur, said government troops were nearing their objective while conducting a combat operation when they encountered about five NPA rebels in Barangay San Carlos and firefight ensued at about 11:50 a.m. There was five minute exchange of gunfire resulting in the killing of an NPA terrorist whose body was recovered at the scene and an improvised shotgun with live ammunition were recovered. Pramis said the communist terrorists belong to Larangan 2 of Komiteng Probensya 4 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines operating in Masbate. The 9th Division has intensified its operation against less than 300 NPA rebels in Bicol. About 68 communist combatants have surrendered since January this year. Probers from Milagros police went to the scene of firefight to conduct an investigation so as to identify the slain rebel.