6 NPA rebels slain in Tinambac town

CASUALTIES. The six dead bodies of the NPA rebels killed in gunfight with Army troopers being temporarily unloaded in Barangay Lupi, Tinambac, Camarines Sur with their seized firearms and personal belongings. MELVIN MACHADO

Six New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed yesterday(Jan. 30) morning in a clash with Philippine Army (PA) soldiers in a Barangay Tierra Nevada, a remote village in Tinambac, Camarines Sur, an Army report said.

Army soldiers were on patrol when they chanced upon a group of NPA rebels at around 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, according to Lt. Feliz Solano, Army Southern Luzon spokesperson.

A 20-minute firefight ensued that resulted in the killing of six NPA rebels and the recovery of four M16 rifles, a grenade launcher, and personal belongings, Solano said.

The Army spokesperson said the dead bodies were left behind as their comrades fled the scene of the encounter.

MGA NAG-EENSAYONG NPA. Aram na kan militar na nag-aadam an rebeldeng NPA na mabalos pakatapos kan encuentro sa Brgy Lupi, Tinambac, Camarines Sur.

The identities of the slain rebels were not immediately available even as their bodies were brought to the municipal police station for documentation.Troopers were on hot pursuit operation as of press time.

Earlier on Monday, Jan. 28, an NPA rebel was killed during a clash with Army troopers in Bato, Camarines Sur. Capt. JoashPramis, Army 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief, said that Army soldiers were on a combat patrol when they engageda 10-member of NPA squad in a brief firefight in Barangay Payak at around 4:20 p.m.

The slain rebel remains unidentifiedwwith his M16 rifle and backpack left behind, Pramis said.