Three NPA rebels killed in encounter in Butuan City

By Ronron
July 2, 2007

Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter against government troops last Sunday in Butuan City.

Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the incident happened at around 5:20 am at Sitio Kaigta, Barangay Rizal of said city.

Torres said elements from the Philippine Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat patrol in the area when they encountered more or less 12 rebels believed to be from the NPA’s Front Committee IV-A.

The clash lasted for 10 minutes until three rebels died and several others were wounded but were taken by their fleeing comrades, said Torres.

There was no casualty on the government side, he said.

The rebels escaped towards Barangay Malapong and Guinabsan of said city.

Recovered from the clash site were two M14 rifles, one Garand rifle, two hand grenades, and personal belongings left behind by the fleeing rebels, said Torres.

The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years./DMS