3 NPA rebels slain in Iloilo clash

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Three New People‘s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with soldiers of the 61st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Cagay in Leon, Iloilo on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said two of the fatalities are women.

Samson said government troopers clashed with members of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay Southern Front led by a certain Rebecca Alfaro and Roberto Gomia.

He said two M16 rifles, personal belongings and subversive documents were recovered at the scene.

The military said soldiers clashed with another group of rebels in Barangay Nalban, also on Friday. There was no reported casualty from both sides.

An M16 rifle and personal belongings were reportedly recovered during clearing operations.