3 rebels killed in clash with soldiers

Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash on Monday (Sept. 28) morning with government troops in a village in Mandaon town in Masbate province.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said elements of police and Army soldiers while task to serve a warrant of arrest encountered a 20-man NPA group led by Eddie/Arnold Rosero in Barangay Alas at around 5:13 AM.

A 15-minute firefight ensued that led to the death of three still unidentified rebels and the recovery of a Garand rifle, Carbine, two shotguns, a box containing assorted explosives components, one-fourth block C4 explosive, and an improvised explosive device (IED).

The bodies of the three slain rebels were in police custody as their identities are yet to be determined, Calubaquib said.

Report said the gun fight happened when government troops were about to serve a warrant of arrest to Roel Vargas, Eddie/Arnold Rosero and Jomar Tugbo who were facing charges for murder.

As this developed, at around 7:20 AM, police manning a checkpoint in Barangay Dayao, Mandaon arrested Ronald Azucena while in possession of a .22 caliber handgun loaded with six bullets.