1 dead as cops clash with NPAs

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman was killed while 10 others were wounded in an encounter between goverment troops and suspected New People’s Army rebels in Maasin, Iloilo last night.

Supeintendent Gilbert Gorero, spokesman of the Western Visayas police, identified the fatality as Police Officer 1 Jofer Odon, a member of the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Western Visayas. Among those wounded was a certain Inspector Dulce.

The policemen chanced upon an undetermined number of heavily armed rebels in Barangay Bolo at around 6 p.m., resulting in a firefight.

It was unclear if the rebels also suffered casualties.