NPA rebel killed in Quezon

CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Philippines — A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a gunfight with government troopers in Barangay San Andres Bundok, Atimonan, Quezon on Friday.

Lt. Col. Ely Tono, 85th Infantry Battalion commander, said soldiers were checking reports that communist rebels were harassing residents of Purok Munting, Barangay San Isidro, Padre Burgos town when the clash occurred.

An M16 rifle was recovered from the still unidentified fatality, a member of the Melito Glor Command, according to the military.

In Agusan del Norte, communist insurgents burned several equipment at an oil depot in Nasipit town on Wednesday.

Emil Ibarra of the NPA Western Agusan Command said they were responsible for the attack as a punishment to Agumill Phils., a palm oil company, for expanding its plantations in Barangays Lawan-Lawan, Salaysayob and Tagbabacon.

Also in Nasipit on Wednesday, two police officers were wounded when the rebels attacked a police outpost in Barangay Camagong. – Michelle Zoleta, Ben Serrano, Jaime Laude