3 NPA rebels slain in Pio Duran, Albay

By Mar S. Arguelles

Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels including their leader were killed in a clash on Monday morning (May 2) in the village in Pioduran town in Albay province, a report from the Philippine Army (PA) said.

Army Major John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said soldiers were on combat patrol when a seven-man rebel group was sighted at around 3:00 AM at the boundary of Barangay Buenavista, in Pioduran town and Barangay Sta Cruz of Donsol town in Sorsogon.

The encounter led to a 10-minute running gun battle where three rebels were slain including their leader whose identity was only known as Ka “Bong.”

Recovered from the battle scene were two M16 assault rifles, a .45 caliber handgun, and personal belongings of the rebels.

The bodies of the slain rebels were brought to the Pioduran police station for identification and disposition.