3 NPA rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash

MANILA, Philippines — Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while 14 others were arrested, four of them wounded, following an encounter with police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in Barangay Tabu in Ilog, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Nilda Bertulano, secretary of the NPA’s South West Front was among those wounded from the side of the rebels, according to Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo, SAF Battalion 6 commander.

A SAF trooper was also wounded.

Manongdo said four M16 rifles were recovered at the scene.

He said the encounter occurred when SAF commandos and personnel of the 2nd Negros Occidental Police Mobile Force Company chanced upon 20 armed men while conducting combat operations.