Rebel killed in Misamis clash

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed in an encounter with government security forces in Misamis Oriental yesterday.

The encounter that broke out at around 10:30 a.m. at the boundary of Talisayan and Medina towns also resulted in the recovery of five rifles, according to Lt. Col. Roy Derilo, chief of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion.

“The slain, rebel who is yet to be identified, was abandoned by his fleeing comrades,” Derilo said.

Army troopers backed by members of the government militia were on a mission to stop the communist group from extorting election candidates when they chanced upon a band of rebels led by a certain “Ka Dallas.”

“Our operations in remote areas are meant to derail the NPA’s imposition of permit-to-campaign and permit-to-win fees from candidates in the coming elections,” Derilo said.