NPA slain in Lanao Sur clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY ,Philippines —  A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed while several others were believed wounded in an encounter in Maguing, Lanao del Sur on Saturday, military officials said.

Soldiers belonging to the Army’s 5th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Romulus Rabara were patrolling in Barangay Ragayan when they chanced upon a group of rebels at around 4:30 p.m.

The military recovered several firearms and war materials left behind by the rebels at the scene of the encounter, according to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

“It was a brief firefight that forced the rebels to retreat and withdraw toward the mountains, carrying with them their wounded comrades,” Vinluan said.

Rabara said his men recovered the body and discovered bloodstains along the rebels’ escape route.

A pursuit operation has been launched for the fleeing guerrillas.