5 NPAs killed in Samar clash

CATBALOGAN, Samar - Five still unidentified New People’s Army rebels were killed in an encounter between government troops in San Jose de Buan on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Glenn J. Rabonza, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan Samar, said in a report to Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, commander of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, that soldiers of the 34th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Romeo Gapuz encountered at least 15 communist guerillas while conducting combat operations in Barangay Hagbay around 2:30 p.m. Rabonza said several fleeing rebels were also believed wounded due to bloodstains traced in the encounter site. The bodies of the slain rebels, believed to be members of the Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the CPP-NPA Central Front 1-Samar, were turned over to the town officials for proper disposition and identification.

No one was hurt in the government side during the 35-minute gunbattle.

Government troops recovered five high-powered firearms including M16 Armalite rifle, M14 assault rifle, M1 Garand rifle, two shotguns, several live ammos and voluminous subversive documents with high intelligence value. — Ricky Bautista