NPA rebel killed, 2 nabbed in Sultan Kudarat

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines – A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla died in an encounter with government troops in Isulan town in this province on Sunday.

The rebels carried the body of their comrade as they fled, said Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander.

Cabunoc said Ben Apa and Bago Otig were arrested.

Soldiers of the 33rd IB were responding to reports that rebels were extorting money from residents of Barangay Laguilayan when the encounter occurred. 

Meanwhile, in Quezon, 14 NPA rebels were charged with arson for allegedly burning construction equipment in Lopez town on July 15.

The rebels reportedly stormed RTY Construction Co. in Barangay Tan-ag Ibaba and set on fire a payloader, three trucks and two mixers.