Soldiers clash with Reds in Aurora; 2 dead

MANILA, Philippines — Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Maria Aurora town in Aurora on Sunday.

Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo showed that the clash occurred when soldiers of the 91st Infantry Battalion (IB) responded to reports of extortion and harrassment in Barangay Villa.

The firefight lasted for around 45 minutes. 

The military said two rifles, one with a grenade launcher, were recovered at the scene.

In Batangas, soldiers overrun an NPA camp following a firefight with rebels in Barangay Calumpit, Lobo also on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Manio of the First IB said at least 30 makeshift tents, ammunition, bombs and cellular phones were among those recovered from the rebel camp.

Bomb blast

In Masbate, a newly delivered speedboat of the Army and a patrol boat of the Philippine Coast Guard were damaged in a bomb explosion at the Masbate City port in Barangay Bapor yesterday.

Authorities said NPA rebels perpetrated the attack, noting that the explosives used in last month’s attack at the same pier were identical.

Superintendent Paul Cabug, Masbate police chief, said the improvised explosive device was similar to the pipe bombs that police recovered from a rebel camp in July.

“The rebels could have intentionally destroyed the speedboat which would be a big help in the anti-insurgency campaign,” Cabug said. – Ed Amoroso, Celso Amo, Cet Dematera