MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in alleged shootouts with law enforcers in Leyte and Masbate on Wednesday.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said police officers were serving an arrest warrant for murder and frustrated murder for Preciano Galleon at his hideout in Barangay Sto. Niño in Matalom town when the suspect drew his gun.
Sinas said Galleon was tagged in the ambush of police officers in St. Bernard in March 1993. Two other police officers were wounded in the gun attack.
“There is no escaping the law because we are determined to pursue and arrest wanted persons who have long evaded arrest,” Sinas said.
In Masbate, a still unidentified rebel was killed in Baleno town.
The fatality was among the 15 insurgents who clashed with government forces in Barangay Eastern Capsay at around 5 a.m.
An M16 rifle, P15,000 in cash and assorted improvised bombs were reportedly recovered at the scene.