2 rebels slain in clashes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed in separate encounters in Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend.

The recent firefight involving troopers of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) and a band of rebels occurred in Siayan town on Saturday.

The soldiers were responding to reports from villagers about the presence of armed men in Barangay Pange when the rebels opened fire at them, Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera of the 53rd IB said.

The firefight lasted 10 minutes.

The guerrillas retreated, leaving behind two rifles and a grenade launcher as well as personal belongings and propaganda materials.

A day earlier, combined troops of the Army’s 44th and 97th IB killed two suspected guerrillas in an encounter in Kalawit town, also in Zamboanga del Norte.

The firefight, which occurred in Barangay Batayan, lasted 45 minutes, according to Col. Leonel Nicolas, chief of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade.