LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines– Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while two soldiers were wounded during an encounter in Barangay Tinago in Gubat, Sorsogon on Tuesday.
Col. Cesar Idio, commanding officer of the 903rd Brigade, said government troops were conducting security operations in preparation for a medical mission around 5:40 a.m. when they encountered the rebels.
“The NPA rebels hurled an improvised explosive and a 25-minute firefight erupted,” said Idio.
Government troops recovered three high-powered firearms, two laptops, several backpacks with personal belongings and subversive documents at the scene.
Lt. Col. Danilo Aquino, 83rd Infantry Battalion commanding officer, said communist rebels have been harassing Army troops conducting development programs in far-flung barangays.
“We are still conducting follow-up operations,” Aquino said.
He said the Juban police was asked to conduct a probe and identify the slain rebels.
The wounded Army troopers are now in stable condition in a government hospital.